Makonde Shetani Carved Wood Sculpture

Tanzania or Mozambique, Africa, mid-late 20th century, carved African blackwood (mpingo) to depict a Shetani (Swahili for "evil spirit"), unsigned, drilled and secured to black laminate plywood plinth.

HOA 28 1/4 x 10 x 10 in.

This is a Shetani style woodcarving (“devil” in Swahili) made by the Makonde people of northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania. Shetani wood carvings are usually made of ebony wood and are expressions of Makonde mythology and spirits. This style uses the appearance of otherworldly physical traits, like large, distorted facial or body features, and sometimes of animals to signify the spiritual realm. The essence of Shetani is thought to take five forms: human, mammal, fish, bird, and reptile. (Courtesy of Central Texas Folk Art Museum)

Scattered surface marks, small abrasions, and small cracks to sculpture; looseness to joining of sculpture to plinth.