Bamenda Ceremonial Pipe - Animal with Collar

A long stem, a short bowl, and something watching from the collar.

Bamenda potters of Cameroon, Central Africa, made this ceremonial pipe in terra cotta in the 20th century. Pipes from the Cameroon Grassfields are commonly associated with status and gatherings, and many carry animal imagery. A slim stem, marked with faint incised lines, runs out to a compact bowl. A thick ring circles the neck of the bowl, and a small animal head with a pointed snout peers out from the front.

About 7 inches long. Lay it on a shelf and it still looks mid-conversation.