A large, ancient seated male statue in a superb classical style. The figure's closed eyelids and contemplative stance give it a presence that combines a strong sense of interiority and contemplation. Characteristic of great Katsina art for its sobriety and the sensitivity of its modeling, which tends towards naturalism, this work stands out as one of the masterpieces of a narrow corpus. Katsina, Nigeria Dating: 500 BC - 500 AD Thermoluniscence test, Alliance Science Art - Francine Maurer, Ref : 16.10.24 - TL 906.115 (21 / 06 / 1999) Smooth gray clay terracotta with small, shiny mineral inclusions, slight surface erosions and small visible old cracks, beautiful red ochre slip. H. 56.5 cm Provenance : - Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels - Marc Blanpain Collection, Brussels Publications and Exhibitions : - Grunne (de), Dreams of beauty. African Sculptures from the Blanpain Collection, 2005, no. 30, Luxembourg, Banque Générale du Luxembourg, October 25 - December 2, 2005