Bura Figurative Vessel Top, Based

The Niger River valley kept its dead in good company. Sculpted heads, set above burial jars.

This vessel top, made by the Bura people between the 11th and 15th centuries, belongs to that tradition. The head is a smooth, elongated oval with a high rounded crown. The features are gently modeled: low, slit-like eyes, a small nose, a projecting mouth with parted lips, and small pierced ears at each side.

The orange-tan clay has a lightly pitted, weathered skin, with some darker staining at the brow. It stands nine inches tall on a slender rod mount. Contemplative. Possibly a little amused.