Bamileke Figural Pipe Fragment, Based

Fierce face, flared cheeks, and the faint smell of tobacco smoke long gone.

Bamileke potters of Cameroon, Central Africa, made this pipe fragment in terra cotta in the 20th century. Grassfields pipes, often with sculpted heads, are commonly associated with status and display as well as smoking. Only the head survives here, a round mask-like face with spiral eyes, a furrowed brow and bared teeth. The clay is buff and gray, scuffed and earthy, with darker residue in the recesses.

About 6 inches tall on a black metal mount. It looks out at the room with great suspicion.