Koma Ceramic Funerary Figure, Based

A face of heavy-lidded eyes and a thick moustache-like lip, perched on a long spike.

This funerary figure, based, is Koma, from northern Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 13th to 17th century. It is terra cotta. Koma figures have been found in mounds throughout northern Ghana, and scholars generally relate them to funerary customs, though their precise purpose is uncertain. The head has a ridged band across the brow, round eyes, a broad nose and a stack of horizontal ridges forming the mouth and chin. Below, the body narrows to a blunt point. The reddish clay is rough and sandy. It is mounted on a black stand and is 2.5 inches wide and 7 high.

Stoic, with a hint of a raised eyebrow.