A superb and rare fragment of a face entirely striated in very slight relief, characteristic of the great classical arts of Ife. The face is modelled with extreme delicacy and striking naturalism, giving the piece a powerful presence. On the left side, a small piece of headdress attests to the quality of this sculpture, which is stylistically similar to the former Leo Viktor Frobenius Collection, now in the Ethnologisches Museum, Berlin (inv. no. III.C.27531). Ife, Nigeria Dating: 15th century (BA-09-45-06-01-TL) Fine mica-encrusted terracotta, superb pinkish earth slip. H. 14 cm Provenance : - Roger Bédiat, Abidjan - Mercier-Demercastel Collection, France, acquired 1957 - Transmitted by descent - Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels - Marc Blanpain Collection, Brussels Publications and Exhibitions : - Dartevelle et Plisnier, Pierre Dartevelle et les Arts Premiers. Memory and Continuity, Voll. II, 2021, p. 45, no. 57