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This is a very RARE Vintage Hand Carved Ebony Wood Makonde Maasai Seated Woman Sculpture - Stunning example of African Tribal Art!
This piece is approximately 10 1/2” tall x 6” wide x 6” deep.
I acquired this gorgeous work of art at an estate sale, where the previous owner was clearly a world traveler and most probably hand-carried all of their treasures from the wonderful places that they visited.
Due to the history of the Makonde woman’s connection to earth and ancestors, she appears to be either meditating or maybe soaking up the warmth of the sun? Beautifully serene.
I wish I knew the artist’s intent - either is a beautiful message.
I have looked everywhere online to find another work of art similar to this piece, but even the closest I have found, aren’t nearly as beautiful as this one!
The perfection and artistic detail on this sculpture are amazing….and the stain is a gorgeous color accentuating the grain of the wood (I am not certain of what type of wood this is - it appears to be very dark & dense wood.)
There are no noted chips or scratches to this beautiful piece so I would say that it is in pristine vintage condition!
It appears that the entire sculpture was carved from one single piece of wood, except for the feet - which were very meticulously carved and attached. Please see closeup photos of the feet.
Note: All photos should be considered as an integral part of the description.
What I found about the history of pieces such as this piece:
Large feet on a seated Makonde woman figure, particularly in carvings from the Tanzania/Mozambique region, primarily symbolize grounding, stability, strength, and connection to the earth/ancestors.
In the context of Makonde art, these features represent the following:
Support and Foundation ~ The exaggerated, large feet provide a stable base, representing the matriarchal figure as the solid, unwavering foundation of the family and society.
"Dimoongo" (Strength) ~ The style is often associated with Dimoongo (power of strength), emphasizing the physical and spiritual power of the female figure in supporting the "Tree of Life" (Ujamaa) or family structure.
Symbol of Matriarchy ~ As Makonde culture is matrilineal, seated figures frequently represent a powerful mother figure or the primeval ancestress, with large feet emphasizing her role as the "root" of the lineage.
Symbolic Power over Ornamentation ~ While fine details like scarification or piercings represent status, large hands and feet are typically used to convey the "power" and "weight" of the figure's presence.
These figures are typically hand-carved from African Blackwood (mpingo) and emphasize the connection between generations.
