Nok Culture -Found in North central Nigeria off the edge of the Jos Plateau The oldest known example of terracotta sculpture in Africa south of the Sahara Dates from 3000-1000 Before the Present (1000 BC- 1000 AD) -wide diversity of subject matter - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Nok Culture -Found in North central Nigeria off the edge of the Jos Plateau ldest known example of terracotta sculpture in Africa south of the S - Dates from 3000-1000 Before the Present (1000 BC- 1000 AD) - -wide diversity of subject matter - With considerable variation in style, treatment and scale - Highly skilled in the creation of full-length human figures - -well organized social, political and religious structures - Art depicting images of dignitaries: rulers, priests and heroes - Iron working culture - With fragments of iron and beads recovered from furnaces
Transcript
Nok Culture
-Found in North central Nigeria off the edge of the Jos Plateau- The oldest known example of terracotta sculpture in Africa south of the Sahara
- Dates from 3000-1000 Before the Present (1000 BC- 1000 AD)- -wide diversity of subject matter
- With considerable variation in style, treatment and scale- Highly skilled in the creation of full-length human figures- -well organized social, political and religious structures
- Art depicting images of dignitaries: rulers, priests and heroes- Iron working culture
- With fragments of iron and beads recovered from furnaces
Style Elements
-elaborate coiffureCylindrical heads
Pierced eyes, nose, mouth, and earsSemi-circular/triangular eyes and lids
Ears set back, often low and smallFlared nostrils
Map of Nigeria depicting the various ancient cultures
Head,2500-800 BP(500BC-200AD)Terracotta
Jemaa Head,Nok 2500 BP(500BC)Terracotta
Figure of a warrior,Nok, Terracotta,n/d
Composite of man/birda.k.a birdmanTerracottaNok1750BP(250AD)
Janus faced statuetteNokTerracotta,n/d
Crouching Pendant Statue,NokTerraccotta2250 BP(250BC)
Coiled snake, Nok, Terracotta, n/d
Titled Male FigureNok,Terracotta2450BP(450BC)
Female pillar statue,NokTerracotta2150BP(150BC)
Animal Imagery in the Nok corpus
Composite of man/birda.k.a birdmanTerracottaNok1750BP(250AD)
Catfish or serpent, Nok, terracotta, 2300BP
Elephant, Nok, Terracotta, 2050BP
Elephanthead,Nok,Terracotta,2500BP
Bust of a man with mudfish,Nok,Terracotta,2250BP
Composite of man-leopard bustNok,Terracotta,2250 BP
Torso of a Lion Cub,Nok,Terracotta,2400 BP
Statue on bended knee with Elephant and Feline,Nok, Terracotta,2350 BP
Seated Statue Holding a Feline,Nok,Terracotta,2150 BP
Inland Niger Delta:Djenne, Mali700-500 BP
(13th-15th century)
Map of West Africa depicting the major culture areas
Style Elements:The figurative sculptures have generalized rounded forms;
Heads are flattened elongated shapes that are tilted upward with Bulging eyes and everted lips;
Some of the figures are clothed, with elaborate decorative patternsand body art sometimes rendered in color
They exhibit a broad range of iconographic themes and subject matterIncluding, maternity figures, equestrians, hunters, warriors and female figures
Depicted standing, seating, reclining or mounted on horsebackOther zoomorphic imagery include snakes, with or without humans
Connected with religious symbolism and agrarian and human fertility.
Some of the imagery might have represented legendary heroes,and founding ancestors
Seated figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.44.3cm
Archer figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.61 cm (24 3/8 in.)
Horse and rider,Djenne, MaliTerracottaH 44x17x30 cm
Bearded figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h. 38.1 cm
Kneeling figure with snake,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.57 cm
