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Ethnika.antiques

#8356 Large Ife Clay / Terracotta Head of Oni Yoruba Nigeria African 18" H

#8356 Large Ife Clay / Terracotta Head of Oni Yoruba Nigeria African 18" H

Regular price $2,900.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $2,900.00 USD
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Rare Fine large hand made Ife Clay/ Terracotta  
 Head of Oni Yoruba Nigeria African 
approx 14 inches H. x 8.5 inches W by 11" D

This exquisite hand made Clay /Terracotta head is a fine example of one of the most famous
traditions in world history. The details on this head are stunning, from the splendid facial expression, to the detailed rendering of its formal crown. One can only imagine the true splendor of the old court of Ife.  
This clay-modeled head is of an Oba, the ruler at Benin, of a lineage that continues today. This head is based upon bronze examples that are noted for their details of representation.  the attention paid to the hair and the shaping of the face all reflect the skill of artist who in the past would have modeled the mold for the bronze heads. That this is a replica cannot be doubted, but what is important to note is that the skill of the Nigerian artist of today in shaping this head continuing a tradition nearly 500 years old at Benin and who have not lost their skill in producing interesting works of art 
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