103 - Lady with ear jewels

Tall Nok bust, with right hand on her breast

Superb feminine bust statue of pink terracotta representing all the classical characteristics of the Nok art. Here is applied the African proportion i.e. the head is oversized in relation to the body (one third or one quarter in Africa, in fact one seventh). We have here a geometric treatment of the body with a bun in shape of a ball dominating a long, perfectly designed face, with triangular eyes, finely designed eyebrows, a flat nose, a slightly open, pulpy mouth on regular teeth. The richness of the jewels and the costume is noticeable : necklaces, magnificent temple jewels, bracelets and a finely worked G-string going up on the buttocks in a huge crossed pleated pattern.

All these elements make this statue a pure masterpiece.

H. 63 cm
Dating : 1,200 to 1,700 years
Private collection (Sweden)

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