Nok Sculpture

Nok sculpture refers to the ancient terracotta and terracotta-like artworks created by the Nok culture in what is now Nigeria, dating from around 1500 BCE to 500 CE. These sculptures are renowned for their detailed, stylized human and animal figures, often with expressive features and intricate patterns. They were likely used for religious, ceremonial, or burial purposes. The Nok civilization is also credited with early development of ironworking. These sculptures are significant because they provide valuable insight into the social, spiritual, and artistic practices of one of West Africa’s earliest complex societies.