Koma Terra Cotta Funerary Figure, Based

Squat, round-eared and heavily speckled, standing on a stand like a small bear.

This Koma terra cotta funerary figure on a base is Koma, from Northern Ghana, West Africa. Funerary art in West Africa is generally concerned with honoring the dead and keeping the connection between generations, but practices and meanings vary from one people to another. Stocky, rounded body in a speckled, dusty tan, with a head showing two ear-like lumps and a flat face. Both arms fold toward the belly, and the short, spread legs rest on a mount over a black base. It is 3 inches wide, 2 deep and 4.25 high.

Built along bear-like lines, and quite sure of itself.