Bust of a Male Ruler, Based

1943. A small terra cotta head unearthed near the village of Nok, on the Jos Plateau of Nigeria, and it proved to be more than two thousand years old.

West African clay sculpture has been a long story since. This bust of a male ruler dates to the 17th century and stands thirty inches tall on its base. The coiffure is elaborate, knots and rolls. The eyes are large and heavy-lidded, the nose strong, the lips full. A beaded collar circles the neck, and a pendant ornament hangs on the chest. One arm is raised and now broken at the forearm. The other hand holds a round object.

The orange clay shows wear and some losses at the base. Imperfect. It carries on.