Figure

The Makonde were a matriarchal, agricultural society. Traditionally, it is thought, the sculpture of the Makonde was restricted to ceremonial and ritual goods. Shetani spirits or creatures, now seen in contemporary Makonde sculpture, were probably unknown before the advent of commercial art production in the mid-1950's. Tales of encounters with these rarely seen spirits or creatures were part of Makonde mythology and folklore and may have served as artistic inspiration for the pieces.

Commercial art.

Seated humanoid figure: that has large round eyes, an open mouth with three teeth in the lower jaw, and a nose and chin that meld with a semi-circular flat protrusion on the left of the head. Leg on the left extends upward from the base and ends in the figure's mouth. Arm on the left bends at the elbow and grasps leg on the left in the hand. Arm on the right curves downward, and the two fingered hand rests on the hip. Reptilian-head on the right of the base has an eye on the right inlaid with pink stone, an open mouth, and an incised body that extends vertically, joins th foot of the left leg while the flat broad tail of the reptile is seen above the foot.