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The Katsina style emerged along with the Nok
culture. Discovered through archaeological
expeditions in the 1940’s, almost nothing is
known about the society or its customs other
than the spectacular terracotta sculptures they
left behind. Alas, were it not for these artifacts,
their culture might have been completely
forgotten. Fortunately, works such as this
Katsina sculpture survive, a hint of the
sophistication and beauty of their artistry. These
sculptures represent the oldest artistic creations
in Sub-Sahara Africa and could be the mother
culture that originated the stylistic tendencies
that continue to be pervasive throughout black
African art today. The most obvious lasting
influence is the emphasis placed on the head.
This figure sits in a typical Katsina posture with
his diminutive bent knees and his hands resting
on the kneecaps. Unlike most Nok examples, the
Katsina sculptors show little sensitivity in the
modeling outside of the head. The figure’s
coiffure is a simple spherical skullcap, wholly
different from the elaborate styles of the Nok.
His eyes are also treated in a different manner
from the wide, almond-shaped eyes that
characterize the Nok: they are basically narrow
horizonal slits. Great attention has been paid to
the figure's wide, protruding lips and flat, broad
nose. The figure sits adorned in jewelry
including a necklace, several bracelets, and a
notched band wrapped across his torso.
Thermoluminesence testing at the Daybreak
Archaeometric Laboratory has affirmed the
dating of this artwork. What an amazing relic
from a lost civilization. This sculpture is a
reminder of how vast and bountiful our common
cultural heritage really is.
- (PF.5730)
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