Koma Terra Cotta Funerary Figure, Based

A long, carrot-like body. A broad grin. A row of applied teeth that might as easily be a beard.

A tapering terra cotta from the Koma of northern Ghana, 13th to 17th century. Such sculptures come out of the region’s burial mounds and are understood to concern honoring the dead. Coiled clay builds the bulging eyes and a band over the brow. The surface is muted reddish brown, gritty and worn. Seven and a half inches with its stand.

Funerary, and not at all solemn. That is the surprise.