Antique African Makonde Tree of Life Ebony Wood Carving Sculpture statueTanzania

Description

vintage or antique African Folks art  Makonde Family
Tree of Life Real Ebony Wood Carving Sculpture statue from Tanzania
Excellent and masterfully   African folks art  " Family  tree of life"  with
a column of people with one large male as one central figure
( probably the father of all or chief ) surrounded by two seated women figures On both sides ( maybe his two wives )
There are four smaller figures which appeal to be climbing or holding each other up commonly depict
member of extended blood line of family..( two makes and two females )
It is extraordinary hand carving wood  made by  Makonde people
( ethnic group in Tanzania and Mozambique  ) and part of Kenya
Great art piece for home décor ..
8  inches  high by  5 inches widest area by  4” deep
on bottom. It weight  about 7.1 LBS     ( it is made from One solid real Ebony Wood with live wood on back  )
I did the water test on it and it did sink
This beautiful piece of art appear to be old ( sorry not sure about age)  rustic
hand made with old shown of wear or imperfection
otherwise
it looks great as display piece ...
!!!!!!!!!!!! I am 100 % sure you will love it.
Here is some more info about this true masterpiece
THE WORD "MAKONDE" MEANS "FAMILY TREE" OR "TREE OF LIFE" - IT IS ALSO THE NAME OF A TRIBE IN SOUTH-EAST AFRICA WHOSE CULTURAL WORK IS THAT OF CRAFTSMANSHIP.
THE MAKONDE FAMILY TREE HOWEVER IS NOT SOMETHING THEY CARVE CONSCIOUSLY - WHAT MAKES A PIECE LIKE THIS A MASTER-PIECE IS THE FACT THAT A FIGURE LIKE THIS IS CARVED BY A NUMBER OF CRAFTSMEN AND THE SHAPE AND FORM COMES FROM THEIR HALLUCINATIONS AS THEY CARVE THESE PIECES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MIND-ALTERING PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES. ONCE COMPLETED, THEY CANNOT RECALL HAVING MADE THESE AND CANNOT REPRODUCE ANOTHER ONE EVEN REMOTELY SIMILAR.
WHAT IS EVEN MORE INTERESTING IS THE FACT THAT THE COMPLETION OF SUCH RARE AND UNIQUE PIECES TAKES MONTHS AND AFTER THE ROUGH COMPLETION, THEY ARE GIVEN THE FINISHING TOUCHES AND POLISHING WHICH BRINGS OUT THE AMAZING FEATURE AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE IMAGES ABOVE.
ALSO, THE MAKONDE SCULPTURE IS CARVED FROM THE EBONY WOOD - EBONY WOOD IS THE MOST DENSE, HARDEST AND HEAVIEST WOOD ON THE PLANET WHICH MAKES IT ALL THE MORE DIFFICULT TO CARVE BY HAND. ALSO, THE EBONY WOOD AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, IS DEEP-DARK BROWN IN COLOR IN IN ITS NATURAL STATE AND HAS A REGULAR COLORED "CREAMISH" BARK ON THE OUTSIDE. IT IS THE ONLY WOOD OF THIS COLOR WHERE AS OTHER WOODS ARE OF "BEIGE" OR "LIGHT BROWN" COLOR - THE REGULAR WOOD AS WE KNOW IT.
THESE FIGURINES ARE MASTER-PIECES AND ONLY ONES OF THEIR KIND.
THIS TOWERING SCULPTURE IS ABOUT 3 AND A HALF FEET (42") APPROXIMATELY TALL AND WEIGHS A GOOD 75 ODD POUNDS.
A TREASURE BEYOND MEASURE FOR AN ART COLLECTOR OR INDIVIDUALS WITH RICH TASTE FOR PERSONAL HOME OR OFFICE DECOR.