The NOK

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head. (600 BC - 300 AC (JC)). [Ceramic/terra-cotta]. The Van Rijn Archive of African Art (YVRA) at the Yale University Art Gallery. Yale University Open Community Collections.

head. (600 BC - 300 AC (JC)). [Ceramic/terra-cotta]. The Van Rijn Archive of African Art (YVRA) at the Yale University Art Gallery. Yale University Open Community Collections.

Nok, Nigeria Terracotta Head (500 BC - 200 AD) , source unknown

Nok, Nigeria Terracotta Head (500 BC - 200 AD) , source unknown

Figure. (n.d.). [Ceramic/terra-cotta]. The Van Rijn Archive of African Art (YVRA) at the Yale University Art Gallery. Yale University Open Community Collections. Retrieved https://jstor.org/stable/community.34881834

Figure. (n.d.). [Ceramic/terra-cotta]. The Van Rijn Archive of African Art (YVRA) at the Yale University Art Gallery. Yale University Open Community Collections. Retrieved https://jstor.org/stable/community.34881834

Metal tools made around 500 B.C. have been found alongside stone tools, attesting to the manufacture of iron while stone was still being used. (Courtesy Barbara Voss)

Metal tools made around 500 B.C. have been found alongside stone tools, attesting to the manufacture of iron while stone was still being used. (Courtesy Barbara Voss)

Typical pottery of the Nok culture phases: 1 Early Nok (Puntun Dutse site); 2 transition from Early to Middle Nok (Puntun Dutse site); 3 early Middle Nok (Ifana site); 4 later Middle Nok (Akura site); 5 Late Nok (Ungwar Kura site); 6 Common Era (Janr

Typical pottery of the Nok culture phases: 1 Early Nok (Puntun Dutse site); 2 transition from Early to Middle Nok (Puntun Dutse site); 3 early Middle Nok (Ifana site); 4 later Middle Nok (Akura site); 5 Late Nok (Ungwar Kura site); 6 Common Era (Janruwa C site)

The Nok were expert terracotta craftsman and their human figurines are one of the most distinctive artifacts they left behind (Courtesy Barbara Voss)

The Nok were expert terracotta craftsman and their human figurines are one of the most distinctive artifacts they left behind (Courtesy Barbara Voss)

The triangular eyes and parted lips of this Nok terracotta figurine are characteristic of an artistic style that endured for millennia even after the Nok culture disappeared. This one may represent a deity, an ancestor, or be a portrait. (Courtesy Ba

The triangular eyes and parted lips of this Nok terracotta figurine are characteristic of an artistic style that endured for millennia even after the Nok culture disappeared. This one may represent a deity, an ancestor, or be a portrait. (Courtesy Barbara Voss)

Terracotta Foot, from the big Padckock Nok, c.500 p61. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta Foot, from the big Padckock Nok, c.500 p61. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta Elephant head, from Agwzo mine, Udegi, c. 500. P.63. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta Elephant head, from Agwzo mine, Udegi, c. 500. P.63. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Fragmented Figure, from Kutofo, c.500. p62 From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Fragmented Figure, from Kutofo, c.500. p62 From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Keeling Man From Bwari near Abuja p59 From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Keeling Man From Bwari near Abuja p59 From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Tin miners in the Big Paddok at Nok dig down through several levels of alluvial deposits to reach tin. it is within these deposits that most Nok works have been found. P.4 from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Tin miners in the Big Paddok at Nok dig down through several levels of alluvial deposits to reach tin. it is within these deposits that most Nok works have been found. P.4 from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Another view of tin miners in Nok Valley. p.5 from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Another view of tin miners in Nok Valley. p.5 from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Nok-Igbo-Benin-Ife: Exposing the Connections between Ancient Civilizations in Nigeria by HistoryNG

A History of Nigeria: The Nok Civilization by HistoryVille

Terracotta Head with inflated cheeks, c.500B.c p58 From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta Head with inflated cheeks, c.500B.c p58 From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

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Terracotta head p53 . from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta head p53 . from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta head, c. late 4th century. from Jemma-Kafanchan Road p55. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta head, c. late 4th century. from Jemma-Kafanchan Road p55. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Protruding mouth on the head found at Tonga Nok retains the blocked-out from one would expect to find in wood-carving rather than terracotta and is strikingly similar to the mouth found on the piece from Yelwa p38. from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (

Protruding mouth on the head found at Tonga Nok retains the blocked-out from one would expect to find in wood-carving rather than terracotta and is strikingly similar to the mouth found on the piece from Yelwa p38. from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta head p52 . from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta head p52 . from Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta elephant head from Lafogido. between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D. p.65. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta elephant head from Lafogido. between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D. p.65. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head, from Jemaa p54. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta head, from Jemaa p54. From Treasures of ancient Nigeria (1982)

Terracotta representation of a man. probably between 12th and 15th centuries A.D. p.55. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta representation of a man. probably between 12th and 15th centuries A.D. p.55. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head of young woman with ridged hairstyle. P.56. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head of young woman with ridged hairstyle. P.56. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head from a figure from Otutu compound, ife. p62. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head from a figure from Otutu compound, ife. p62. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a woman modelled on a globular pot. from the Olokun shrine at Obaluru. Probably between 12 and the 15th centuries A.D p.62. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a woman modelled on a globular pot. from the Olokun shrine at Obaluru. Probably between 12 and the 15th centuries A.D p.62. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head found in isolation at a boundary between land owned by two people in south Modakeke in Ife. Probably between 12 and the 15th centuries A.D p.60. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head found in isolation at a boundary between land owned by two people in south Modakeke in Ife. Probably between 12 and the 15th centuries A.D p.60. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a young woman wearing a head-dress. probably between the 12th and the 15th century A.D. p.60. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a young woman wearing a head-dress. probably between the 12th and the 15th century A.D. p.60. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

What Was Nok Civilization: History of Nok Civilization by the Sankofa Pan African Series

Terracotta head of a man in an unrefined style not typical of classical Ife style. it has been suggested that it is of post-colonial Ife period. from Mokuro stream. P.58. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a man in an unrefined style not typical of classical Ife style. it has been suggested that it is of post-colonial Ife period. from Mokuro stream. P.58. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human seated figure apparently broken from tableau. probably between the 12th and 15th centuries A.D. P.59. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human seated figure apparently broken from tableau. probably between the 12th and 15th centuries A.D. P.59. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta spherical pot decorated in relief. from koyiwo Layout. P.66 from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta spherical pot decorated in relief. from koyiwo Layout. P.66 from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

ُerracotta figure holding two buffalo horns. between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D. P.67 from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

ُerracotta figure holding two buffalo horns. between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D. P.67 from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta representation of a human head with globular eyes uncharacteristic of Ife. probably between 12th and 15th centuries A.D. p.57. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta representation of a human head with globular eyes uncharacteristic of Ife. probably between 12th and 15th centuries A.D. p.57. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a man with widely spaces, raised weals instead of the usual incised lines. P.58. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of a man with widely spaces, raised weals instead of the usual incised lines. P.58. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head probably of a mythical animal, possibly hippopotamus. from Lafogido between the 12th and the 15th centuries. P63. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head probably of a mythical animal, possibly hippopotamus. from Lafogido between the 12th and the 15th centuries. P63. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta ram head from Lafogido. between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D. p64. . from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta ram head from Lafogido. between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D. p64. . from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of young woman. Probably between 12 and the 15th century A.D. p.51. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of young woman. Probably between 12 and the 15th century A.D. p.51. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head in naturalistic style. probably between the 12th and the 15h centuries A.D. p52. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head in naturalistic style. probably between the 12th and the 15h centuries A.D. p52. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Life-size representation in terracotta of a human head said to have been kept always in the royal palace. probably between the 12th and 15th centuries A.D. p52. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Life-size representation in terracotta of a human head said to have been kept always in the royal palace. probably between the 12th and 15th centuries A.D. p52. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head with facial scarifications consisting of parallel grooves. the head wears a crown. probably made between the 12th and 15th centuries. P.54. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human head with facial scarifications consisting of parallel grooves. the head wears a crown. probably made between the 12th and 15th centuries. P.54. from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta head of man wearing a cap with a flat top. the head was clearly part of a figure as indicated by the lug at the base of the neck which would have fitted into a solid torso. made between 12th century and the 15th century A.D. p.50 from Two

Terracotta head of man wearing a cap with a flat top. the head was clearly part of a figure as indicated by the lug at the base of the neck which would have fitted into a solid torso. made between 12th century and the 15th century A.D. p.50 from Two thousand years p.48, from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human face with cat-whisker mask. From Olokun Walode Grove, ife. made between 12th century and the 15th century A.D. p.50 from Two thousand years p.48, from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Terracotta human face with cat-whisker mask. From Olokun Walode Grove, ife. made between 12th century and the 15th century A.D. p.50 from Two thousand years p.48, from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Nok Culture: A History Of Ancient West African Culture by HomeTeam History


DOCUMENTARY: Nok Culture; History, Art & Civilization by TrustTV News


Nok Culture, Terracotta Head, p. 22, from Nigerian Tribal Art (1960).

Nok Culture, Terracotta Head, p. 22, from Nigerian Tribal Art (1960).

Fragment of Terracotta head in classical style. H.13cm, Head created between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D., p.48., from Two thousand years p.48, from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).

Fragment of Terracotta head in classical style. H.13cm, Head created between the 12th and the 15th centuries A.D., p.48., from Two thousand years p.48, from Two thousand years, Nigerian art (1977).