Bamileke Ceramic Figural Pipe, Based

The eyes are huge, the brow is thunderous, and the grin is not reassuring.

This figural pipe was modeled in terra cotta by Bamileke makers of Cameroon, Central Africa, in the 20th century. Grassfields pipes are often associated with chiefly prestige, and clay examples could be as expressive as the metal ones. The face is broad and nearly mask-like, with bulging round eyes, a flattened nose, and teeth bared in a wide grimace. A patterned cap sits above the brow. The clay is a warm, even terra cotta orange, mounted on a black stand.

Nine inches tall. A dinner guest who will never look away first.