An important and rare bust probably representing a hunter, wearing an animal figure on each shoulder. It features a complex headdress and all the finery characteristic of the style. Nok culture, Nigeria Dating: 650 BC - 350 AD Thermoluniscence test, Alliance Science Art - Francine Maurer, Ref : 41.11.92 - TL 703011 (08 / 04 / 1997) Smooth-grained terracotta, with visible old cracks, especially on the beard, slight crazing and old cracks that have been consolidated, superb old red ochre slip. H. 47.5 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. 204, no. 378, Burgrieden-Rot, Museum Villa Rot, June - November 1998 - Grunne (de), Naissance de l'art en Afrique noire, la statuaire nok au Nigeria, 1998, p. 97, no. 55, Luxembourg, Banque Générale du Luxembourg, October 20 - December 13 1998