In the 1980s, the first figures made of baked red clay representing this typical style were discovered in Northern Ghana. They came from large, flat tumuli. In the 1990s, the area in which the Koma Builsa tribe lives today became the object of more careful examination. Sculptures of this type have been called ‘Komaland figures’ since then. Their use and meaning are as yet unknown. Thermoluminescence testing revealed an average age of these terracotta figures between the 13th and 18th centuries AD.
1: A relatively large Komaland figure, male, probably sitting. The upper section of the head displays a bowl-shaped indentation, the eyes are outlined and the mouth is open. They are all frequently recurring features of Komaland figures. The figure manifestly depicts an important dignitary, with beard, a necklace with large pendant, a belt with loincloth, and with a few bangles on both arms. A beautiful piece with two not quite professional repairs (probably executed in loco) of cracks to the neck and left arm. Minor pieces broken off on beard and lower left leg. H: 28 cm.
2: Torso of a Komaland figure, male. Beard (or chin?) broken. The top of the head displays a bowl-shaped concavity, with outlined eyes, long, accentuated nose and open mouth. Sketched ornaments above the forehead, around the neck and on both upper arms. Old loss under the navel. H: 21.5 cm.
3: A small Komaland figure. Type: ‘plug-head’. With outlined eyes, open mouth and large protruding chin. The broad chest displays ‘rib-like’, incised diagonal lines pointing downwards. H: 10.5 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian Private Collection. Lit.: ‘Discovering the forgotten civilisation of Koma-Land. Northern Ghana’ by L. van Ham & J. Aquandah; ‘Erde und Erz’ by K.-F. Schädler, fig. 243-247, 249.