Bura Figurative Vessel Top, Based

Goggle eyes, a short ridged beard, and a head that tapers away like a carrot.

This figurative vessel top is Bura, from Niger, West Africa, and dates to the 11th to 15th century. It is terra cotta, mounted on a base. The Bura culture, known mainly from burial sites near the Niger River, is generally associated with funerary jars topped by stylized human heads, though much remains unclear. The long form has a ridged band at the top, wide ringed eyes and a stubby nose over a slit mouth. A striated beard juts out below the chin, and the body narrows to a rounded point. It is 8.5 inches high on its black metal stand.

Spare and odd, and all the better for it.