Carving
About this object
History of use
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.
Cultural context
Commercial art.
Iconographic meaning
Serpents were usually associated with departed ancestors or spirits and were thought to be able to transmit power from these to the living.
Physical description
Carved human torso supported by one leg and surmounted by a giraffe head grasping in its mouth a bent descending limb of a central reptilian creature. Second limb of reptilian creature is bent down, ending in an elongated face (snake ?) grasping the hind part of the human torso. Elongated mouth of the reptilian creature is swallowing a serpent which curves down to a human leg. The two bent limbs are joined by a human arm and a hand. Small, lighter patches of wood on square base, attached loosely to larger base of different wood.
Categories
Materials
Date Made
Before 1974
Date Acquired
26 May 1980
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
Measurements
Overall: 69 cm x 18 cm x 18 cm
Object Number
Ac144