This zoomorphic/anthropomorphic creature was made by the Sapi-Grebo (Kissi) people of Sierra Leone. It is a small, round pedestal base supporting a male, cross-legged figure that an oversized head, who appears to be tugging down on his beard. His mouth is gaping, revealing a double fringe of enormous, pointed teeth. His snout is surmounted by a high nose with gaping nostrils, the eyes large and bulbous. He appears to have a long coiffure that hangs down his back to his waist. The surface is rough and irregular. The identity of the animal is impossible to ascertain with certainty, but displays certain characteristics of crocodiles, lions and impossible – perhaps mythological – creatures combined with a human body. It is also possible that it represents a masked individual.

This enigmatic figure represents a shadowy and little-understood people who were the ancestors of the modern Kissi groups of modern Sierra Leone. Excavated from fields around the Kissi territory, these stone figures are revered as ancestors, put on shrines and even beaten with twigs and sticks so that they may exercise their potential for good. Some bear signs of libations they received in the hope of attracting good harvests.
The Kissi describes a language group spread across modern Sierra Leone, and includes the Bassa, Sapi, Temne, Toma and Grebo (and, technically, the Mende) tribal groups, and are known in art-history circles as the Sapi-Grebo. The Sapi kingdom used to include some of these tribes, but was subsumed under the Manes people in the 16th century. The modern tribes are mainly rice farmers, with vegetable gardens and some livestock. While most of the Kissi have converted to Christianity, a notable proportion adhere to traditional belief that are centred around Pombo, Mahen Yafe and Nomoli figures, which are dug up in the fields and revered as ancestors (Pombo – the generic name for these items – literally means “the deceased”) or “rice gods”.
These items are extremely old but are rarely found in context; as a result, little is known of their origin or original function. The only date we have is on a wooden piece, dating to 1190-1394 AD. It has been claimed that they are a stylistic result of artistic influence from early Portuguese incursions into the area (15th – 16th century), while the early Sapi Kingdom may also have made some classes of figure. There are three major figure types, although there is no strict typology. Mahen Yafe are primarily heads adorned with unusual facial hair and jewellery, while the Pombo (as called by the Mende) figures have sharp features, crested hairstyles and filed teeth. Nomoli works have reduced bodies, bulbous eyes and are often bearded. Most of them are used in the same way when found, being adored, patinated or beaten with sticks; this is thus a rare survival.
This is a powerfully-carved piece of ancient African art.