A large, superb female bust that stands out for the richness of its hairstyle: "the hair is artfully modeled like a sculpture in its own right, with extraordinarily voluminous side buns" (de Grunne, 1998, p. 58). The haughty, sensitive face opens with almond-shaped eyes, stretched out and pierced at the pupils; the nose is broad and the mouth features full, disjointed lips, revealing a row of small teeth. The particularly meticulous, collected expression lends the work a delicate presence. Nok culture, Nigeria Dating: 650 BC - 350 AD Thermoluniscence test, Alliance Science Art - Francine Maurer, Ref : 26.19.28 - TL 55.031 (13 / 05 / 1995) Fine-grained ochre terracotta with inclusions, visible ancient faults, slight cracks and age-related wear, beautiful ochre terracotta slip and shimmering mica patina. H. Height : 43 cm Provenance : - Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels - Marc Blanpain Collection, Brussels Publications and Exhibitions: - Grunne (de), Naissance de l'art en Afrique noire, la statuaire nok au Nigeria, 1998, cover and p. 59, no. 20, Luxembourg, Banque Générale du Luxembourg, October 20 - December 13, 1998 - Dartevelle et Plisnier, Pierre Dartevelle et les Arts Premiers. Memory and Continuity, Voll. II, 2021, p. 48, no. 60