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.

Two diagonally opposing forms on a square base: a fish head and a humanoid form. The fish head rises vertically from the base with an open mouth and two round eyes. Between its eyes, there is the opposing figure's hand/foot which is attached to a thin, angled, vertical extension that flares into a head with sharply defined features with bulging eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Extending up from the head, there is a form with incised diagonal lines. From the back base of the form, there is a narrow, angled extension pointing towards the base and this flares into a bulbous sac-like shape. Beneath the sac, there is the open mouth of the fish. Extending back and down from the sac, there is a rectangular form. On a lighter-coloured wood base.