Koma Ceramic Funerary Figure, Based

A tall forehead, a mouth of rolled lips and a beaded collar sitting neatly at the neck.

This funerary figure is Koma, from Northern Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 13th to 17th century. It is terra cotta, mounted on a base. Koma terracottas are usually handmade rather than molded, so no two are quite alike. This bust has a long, upright head with small ears and eyes, flared nostrils and full, rolled lips. A notched collar rings the neck, and a rounded belly is framed by a band at the waist, with a short arm at one side. A crack crosses the chest. It is 7 inches high on a low black base.

Composed, upright and entirely in no hurry.