Bura Figurative Vessel Top

Almond eyes, a long ridged nose and a mouth that has decided to say nothing.

This figurative vessel top is Bura, from Niger, West Africa, and dates to the 11th to 15th century. It is terra cotta. The Bura-Asinda-Sikka site and its neighbors yielded many terra cotta heads and figures that once topped burial jars, and their meaning is still being worked out by researchers. The head is elongated, with heavy-lidded eyes, a sharply ridged nose and full lips, set on a tall tubular neck. Small ears press close to the sides. The clay is a warm terra cotta red, scuffed and darkened in places. It is 3 inches wide and 7.75 high.

Calm, composed and in no hurry to explain itself.