AFRAGMENT OF A TERRACOTTA HEAD

Fragment of a terracotta head from Ilé-Ifẹ̀, southwestern Nigeria, c. 12th to 15th century.

This terracotta sculpture of an Ife royal was excavated at the Inwinrin Grove, and was one of the earlier pieces to gain international attention, mentioned in British publications as early as 1899 and 1911. The same location yielded fragments of life-sized terracotta figures, including a terracotta torso of a man, part of a scene consisting of a seated figure with feet resting on a stool, flanked by attendants. While celebrated for their highly naturalistic style, Ife sculptures were also idealized, showing little in the way of imperfections. The striations, or facial scarifications of the subject indicate his royal status, and even in its fragmented state, the sculpture manages retain this regality.