An important and ancient head, characteristic of the great Nok classical style, the face with its high forehead is framed by a remarkable hairstyle composed of several buns, giving the portrait great elegance. Nok culture, Nigeria Dating: 650 BC - 350 AD Thermoluniscence test, Alliance Science Art - Francine Maurer, Ref : 41.11.92 - TL 704182 (24 / 04 / 1997) Smooth ochre terracotta, with visible old chips and slight surface erosion, nice slip. H. 23 cm Provenance : - Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels - Marc Blanpain Collection, Brussels Publications and Exhibitions : - Schaedler, Earth and Ore. 2500 Years of African Art in Terra-cotta and Metal, 1997, p. 203, no. 374, Burgrieden-Rot, Museum Villa Rot, June - November 1998 - Grunne (de), Naissance de l'art en Afrique noire, la statuaire nok au Nigeria, 1998, p. 74, no. 30, Luxembourg, Banque Générale du Luxembourg, October 20 - December 13 1998