Koma Terra Cotta Funerary Figure

Wide eyes, big grin, bead necklace and flaring hands: the picture of cheer.

This Koma terra cotta funerary figure is Koma, from Northern Ghana, West Africa. Terra cotta is simply fired earthenware, and in West Africa it has been shaped into figures and vessels for well over a thousand years. Upright head with a long crest and ringed, circular eyes above an open, toothy grin. A heavy bead necklace sits on a ridged chest, and the arms flare outward with fan-shaped hands. A beaded belt marks the waist above short, cut-off legs. It is 4.75 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 8.25 high.

Optimism carried out in fine, careful detail.