Nok culture is known for its unique terracotta sculptures and its early iron working. ... These artifacts are mostly terracotta sculptures of human heads, human figures, and animals . One of the identifying characteristics of Nok sculptures is the triangular or oval-shaped eyes on human faces.
What do Nok heads represent?
The heads of Nok terracottas are invariably proportionally large relative to the bodies, and while not enough is known of Nok culture to explain this apparent imbalance, it is interesting to note that a similar emphasis of the head in later African art traditions often signifies respect for intelligence .
What are some of the characteristics of Nok sculptures?
The most characteristic Nok artifacts are clay figurines of animals and stylized human beings , usually heads; perforated eyes of an elliptical or triangular shape are typical of the style. Other artifacts of the Nok culture include iron tools, stone axes and other stone tools, and stone ornaments.
How are Nok sculptures made?
The function of Nok terracotta sculptures is still unknown. For the most part, the terracotta is preserved in the form of scattered fragments . ... The terracotta figures are hollow, coil built, nearly life sized human heads and bodies that are depicted with highly stylized features, abundant jewelry, and varied postures.
What is the meaning of Nok art?
Updated January 25, 2020. Nok art refers to huge human, animal, and other figures made out of terracotta pottery , made by the Nok culture and found throughout Nigeria.
What does Nok stand for?
| Acronym Definition | NOK Norwegian Krone (currency of Norway) | NOK Nokia (stock symbol) | NOK No One Knows | NOK Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis (district; Germany) |
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What does Nok culture mean?
Famous for the distinctive terracotta sculptures of human heads and figures , Nok was the first known culture in West Africa to produce such art and perhaps the first sub-Saharan culture to perfect iron-smelting technology.
Why are the heads of African sculptures so big?
The head is disproportionately large for the body , reflecting the Yoruba belief that the head is the seat of an individual’s essential energy and being. His face and torso are patterned with parallel scarification ridges that perhaps identify his place of origin and status.
Why is Nok culture important?
The Nok culture was one of the earliest known societies of Western Africa. It existed in modern-day Nigeria from around 500 B.C.E. to 200 C.E. The Nok farmed crops and used iron tools. ... Nok culture is known for its unique terracotta sculptures and its early iron working .
How did iron technology hurt the Nok civilization?
This helped the Nok because they were an agricultural people who needed things like plowed fields, wood to construct and then heat their houses, and so forth. It also helped the Nok because making iron and making their ceramic pottery have some similarities . Both require great heat to mold or harden the material.
What are the common artistic characteristics of Nok heads?
Perforated ears, mouths, triangular shaped eyes with pierced pupils are some of the typical stylistic features of the Nok heads. Distinctive hairstyles, the use of ornaments and jewels, variety of beauty in the design provides an enthralling record of body decoration and adornment in the Nok culture.
Which are the most important art forms in Africa?
Pottery, metalwork, sculpture, architecture, textile art and fibre art , are important visual art forms across Africa and may be included in the study of African art.
What is the oldest art culture in Nigeria?
The Nok culture is dated to have flourished between the years 2000BC and 300AD, a making it the oldest form of traditional art not just in Nigeria but West Africa.
What is Igbo Ukwu art?
“The inhabitants of Igbo-Ukwu had a metalworking art that flourished as early as the ninth century. Three sites have been excavated, revealing hundreds of ritual vessels and regalia castings of bronze or leaded bronze that are among the most inventive and technically accomplished bronzes ever made.
Who colonized Yoruba?
In the late 1880s, with the help of a British mediator, a treaty was signed between the various warring factions. Yorubaland was officially colonized by the British in 1901, but a system of indirect rule was established that mimicked the structure of Yoruba governance.
What is terracotta sculpture?
Terracotta is the term normally used for sculpture made in earthenware , and also for various practical uses including vessels (notably flower pots), water and waste water pipes, roofing tiles, bricks, and surface embellishment in building construction.
