Koma Terra Cotta Funerary Figure, Based

Build a face from coils of clay and see how strange it can get.

This Koma head from northern Ghana, 13th to 17th century, is one of the more strongly stylized of its type. Thick bands outline large lozenge eyes. A flattened, projecting chin is grooved in parallel, suggesting a beard. The top of the head is an open rim. The brown clay is rough and pitted, with earth dusted in the crevices. About six inches tall on a metal rod and base.

Koma figures are generally understood to honor the dead. This one does it with some swagger.