Large Makonde Shetani Wood Sculpture

Traveling Man Treasures Curiosity Vault is selling this amazing c. 1950s Makonde tribe Shetani sculpture. There are three figures: the largest figure is female with a distorted face above two smaller male figures; all three intertwined.

The sculpture is of the African Makonde tribe and is referred to as a Shetani. The Makonde are from Southern Tanzania and Northern Mozambique and have a small presence in Kenya.

Shetani style wood carvings ("devil" in Swahili} are expressions of Makonde mythology and spirits. This style uses the appearance of other worldly physical traits, such as large distorted facial or body features, and sometimes animals to signify the spirit realm. The essence of Shetani is thought to take five forms: human, mammal, fish, bird and reptile - this sculpture is the human and animal form. In some sculptures, there are also culturally significant symbols, such as a mother's breasts or calabashes, used to carry water.

Dimensions:
30" H x 9" D

Shipping within the US included in price!