Lot 150

15th C. Ghana Koma Culture Janus-Headed Pottery Finial

Previous image preload Next image preload

15th C. Ghana Koma Culture Janus-Headed Pottery Finial

Estimate: $600 - $900

Starting Bid: $300

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
June 5, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

West Africa, Ghana, Koma culture, ca. 15th to 16th century CE. A highly stylized terracotta janus-headed finial rising from a thick cylindrical shaft, the opposing faces rendered with applied eyes and open mouths as if singing or intoning, giving the sculpture a commanding presence suggestive of vocalization or breath. Koma terracottas are associated with ancestral, ritual, and possibly shrine-related practices in northern Ghana, often discovered in burial or ceremonial settings and reflecting complex spiritual systems. Janus imagery and open mouths are thought to relate to communication with the spirit world. Size: 8.5" L x 3.75" W (21.6 cm x 9.5 cm)

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 199684

  • Condition: Repaired and restored, with head reattached to shaft with infill across breakline. Loss to the eye on one side of head.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000