African Carved Wood Family Tree - SOLVED!

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by Raji, Mar 9, 2020.

  1. Raji

    Raji Member

    IMG_E1490.JPG Optimized-IMG_E1491.JPG family tree totem/sculpture. Rosewood/ebony? This intricately carved sculpture made from a single piece of ebony wood depicts the family tree of a family. about 20 inches high.

    I am more interested in the signature at the base.

    J M Mc PHAIL
    NAIROBI KENYA 2 6 - 94

    anything special or just tourist piece?

    Thank you
     
    Raji, Mar 9, 2020
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  2. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    Makonde carving, this one is pretty new as they go ..all of them are tourist pieces, re-settled tribe with no income, (from memory) more in interdweebs fer sure
     
    blooey, Mar 9, 2020
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    Raji, judy and i need help like this.
  3. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Wood may be ebony, or African Blackwood/mpingo. Made for sale, but what art isn't? Yours appears well done. Most Makonde are in Tanzania and Mozambique, but there is a small community in Kenya.
     
    2manybooks, Mar 9, 2020
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  4. Raji

    Raji Member

    thank you folks! I guess I have closure now.

    just found out couple of youtube videos on the subject





    on a lighter note, all the stuff in the showroom look like 'antiques' :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
    Raji, Mar 9, 2020
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  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    These 'cluster of people' pieces refer to 'Ujamaa', the name of the idea of social cohesion introduced by Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere in the 1960s.
    They are known as Makonde Ujamaa carvings.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2020
    Any Jewelry, Mar 10, 2020
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