Description:

Southern Africa, Mozambique or Tanzania, Makonde peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A finely carved wooden anthropomorphic woman standing on broad feet and slightly bent legs, her body nude to symbolize an idealized fertility and maternity figure. The wide hips, akimbo arms, herniated navel, rounded breasts, and scarification marks are classic elements of Makonde carving. The slightly oversized head has narrow lowered eyelids, a nearly completely flat and broad nose, large diamond shaped lips, and zigzagging linear scarification marks across her brow and cheeks. The cavity on the verso of the head was likely once filled with a tassel of human hair. The surface has developed a delightfully tactile and lustrous surface and a dark chocolate brown hue. Size: 3.5" L x 3" W x 14" H (8.9 cm x 7.6 cm x 35.6 cm)

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#170449

  • Condition: Stable pressure fissures as shown and shallow cavity to head verso where a hair ornament once was. Nicks to high pointed areas, otherwise intact and very good with a lustrous patina.

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May 5, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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