Koma Janiform Funerary Figure

A tall crest, a chevron collar, and something round held carefully in both hands.

This janiform funerary figure is Koma, from Northern Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 13th to 17th century. It is terra cotta. Koma figures are known for layered surface detail, with incised collars, belts and headdresses built up from coils and pellets. Here a seated figure wears a ridged, crested headdress over a face with heavy features and a short beard. A V-shaped collar of incised lines frames the chest, a patterned band crosses the middle, and both hands meet over a rounded form at the belly. The clay is a dusty gray-brown. It is 9 inches high and 5 wide.

Dressed in every line the clay would hold.