Bura Figurative Vessel Top, Based

A slight smile, and a crescent for a mouth. Not many vessel tops manage it.

This one comes from Niger. The Bura people made it between the 11th and 15th centuries. Their terra cotta sculpture is found mainly at burial sites, where such pieces sat above funerary jars. The column flares gently toward the bottom and is topped by an oblong head. A central ridge forms the nose. Rounded relief eyes sit beneath the brow, and the ears are rounded tabs at the sides.

The clay is a warm brick orange, rough, with fine surface scratches. It rises eight and three-quarter inches. Put it near other old clay. They will have things to discuss.