Koma Ceramic Funerary Figure, Based

A mouth pushed out in an O, with a small hole at its center, as if mid-whistle.

This based funerary figure is Koma, from Northern Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 13th to 17th century. It is terra cotta. Many Koma heads have exaggerated mouths and eyes, features some researchers read as expressive conventions rather than portraits. A rolled band crosses the brow, rising to a small peak at one side. Almond eyes sit close beside a pointed nose, and thick lips push forward around a pierced opening. A band of crosshatching marks the chin before the form tapers into a long, rounded post. It is 6.4 inches high and 2.5 wide.

Puckered up, and in no rush.