The Nok Terracota Sculptures

The Nok Terracota Sculptures

Movable Cultural Heritage

The Nok terracotta sculptures, discovered in Nigeria, represent one of the earliest known examples of African figurative art dating back to around 500 BCE to 200 CE. Crafted primarily from terracotta clay, these remarkable sculptures depict human figures, human heads and animals, offering valuable insights into the cultural and artistic traditions of ancient West Africa. Crafted with exquisite detail and finesse, the Nok terracotta sculptures showcase the advanced sculptural techniques and artistic prowess of their creators. The production process of these sculptures involved the shaping the clay by hand or using basic tools, followed by firing in kilns to harden the material. As archaeological treasures, the Nok terracotta sculptures serve as a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nigeria.

is51102024

29/04/2024

cje5@st-andrews.ac.uk

image/jpeg

Still Image

04/29/2024 05:09:55 am

Creative Commons Public Domain (no conditions)

current,9.7264° N,8.9107° E;

https://museum.pau.edu.ng/search/results?q=nok

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/10-facts-you-need-to-know-about-nok-art/jgVRzgYY_kEJeQ

IMAGE

The Nok terracotta sculptures, discovered in Nigeria, represent one of the earliest known examples of African figurative art dating back to around 500 BCE to 200 CE. Crafted primarily from terracotta clay, these remarkable sculptures depict human figures, human heads and animals, offering valuable insights into the cultural and artistic traditions of ancient West Africa. Crafted with exquisite detail and finesse, the Nok terracotta sculptures showcase the advanced sculptural techniques and artistic prowess of their creators. The production process of these sculptures involved the shaping the clay by hand or using basic tools, followed by firing in kilns to harden the material. As archaeological treasures, the Nok terracotta sculptures serve as a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nigeria.