Complex Early African Master Makonde Ebony Dimoongo Power Carving, c 1960

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Complex Early African Master Makonde Ebony Dimoongo Power Carving, c 1960:
$1400.00

A beautifully carved and early Makonde Dimoongo sculpture, c. 1960. The wood appears to be ebony, and is rather dense and heavy thus difficult to carve. I count a total of 5 intertwined figures, and they all seem to be rather uncomfortable! These sculptures by the Makonde, originating in Tanzania or Mozambique, are also referred to as \'Tree of Life\' or \'Ujamaa\' carvings. I\'m not certain exactly what\'s happening in the carving, but it appears as though the very top figure is undergoing some type of metamorphosis as half of his face retains human characteristics whereas the other half seems to be transforming into some kind of long eared animal. It is marked on the bottom with the number \'79\' and possibly signed with an initial. The carving is guaranteed to date at least to the 1960\'s. The sculpture measures slightly over 17.5\" tall.