Ebony Bust of a Young African Warrior Set Into Part of a Tree-Heavy

Description

My mother was an avid collector of African ceremonial pieces and masks. This is an item from a collection she acquired throughout the course of her life and travels, and is part of her estate. She traveled extensively in Africa, with a particular interest in collecting meaningful pieces from Kenya, Zaire, and the Congo. She had close friends, in country, who helped her to acquire some truly fabulous and unusual pieces, over the years.
Ceremonial masks play an important role in an array of traditional African tribal rituals and ceremonies; to insure a bountiful harvest, produce favorable outcomes in peace or war, and convey, or represent, spiritual presences in rites of initiation, manhood, and burial.
Some masks or sculptures represent the spirits of deceased ancestors, totem animals, or specific figures in tribal religion, or mythology.
This particular piece, from her collection, was hand carved from a piece of ebony wood, set into part of an indigenous species of tree. It represents one of the young warriors in a local tribe, and was presented to my mother by some friends that she met in Kenya, during the bloody war between the Hutus and Tutsies. The face is extremely detailed, and made of solid wood, Making it quite heavy. This lovely one-of-a-kind piece of art would make a stunning addition to any collection! Or make a statement about African ancestry in your decor. The piece is 10 inches tall, 9 inches wide, 7.5 inches deep, and in EXCELLENT CONDITION.