This impressive terracotta figure comes from the Nok culture, one of the earliest known advanced civilizations in West Africa, which flourished between around 1500 BC and the 1st century AD in what is now central Nigeria. The Nok are particularly known for their figurative terracotta art and early knowledge of ironworking.
Typical of the Nok sculptures are the naturalistic depictions of human figures with striking facial features, detailed hairstyles and decorative elements. The seated posture of this female figure possibly indicates a ritual or socially elevated significance. Such depictions could have been ancestral representations or cult objects used in a religious or ceremonial context.
The artistic execution testifies to a high level of technical and aesthetic expression. It provides valuable insights into everyday life, the social hierarchy and the self-image of this prehistoric culture.
Since the discovery of the first Nok finds in 1928, knowledge about this civilization has expanded considerably, but many aspects remain obscure. The present figurine makes a decisive contribution to a better understanding of this fascinating culture. The authenticity of the object was confirmed by a thermoluminescence analysis at the University of Vienna.