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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;2manybooks, post: 4380074, member: 8267&quot;]I agree that the busts are the work of a Makonde artisan, from the region of southeast Tanzania/northeast Mozambique. They are most likely carved from African Blackwood (mpingo/<i>Dalbergia melanoxylon).</i> </p><p><br /></p><p>In the early 20th century, Portuguese colonizers and missionaries made inroads into Makonde territory on either side of the Rovumba River. The Makonde had a tradition of carving utilitarian items for their own use, as well as masks for ceremonies, and began to make carvings for sale that appealed to European tastes. Commissions requested by missionaries and other European officials helped establish a market for the carvers&#039; work. One carver, Nyekenya Nangundu, is credited with introducing the &quot;Binadamu&quot; style in the early 1930s. These carvings depict realistic figures engaged in daily life, and continue to be made as they are popular tourist souvenirs. Later, more distinctive styles were developed and added to the carvers&#039; repertoire.</p><p><br /></p><p>I believe your two busts would fall into the category of Binadamu carvings, and could have been made anytime in the early to mid-20th century, consistent with your Mother&#039;s memory of them in the household. For comparison, this &quot;vintage&quot; Makonde bust is described as having come through a Benedictine Mission House (the Benedictines have been active in East Africa):</p><p>[ATTACH=full]367252[/ATTACH]</p><p><a href="https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/makonde-ebony-carved-art-piece-male-290422585" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/makonde-ebony-carved-art-piece-male-290422585" rel="nofollow">https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/makonde-ebony-carved-art-piece-male-290422585</a></p><p><br /></p><p>It is difficult to be more precise about dating such pieces. As &quot;tourist art&quot;, they have not been considered worthy of in-depth study which might establish a useful chronology. </p><p><br /></p><p>You can find more information about the Makonde and their blackwood carvings here:</p><p><a href="https://www.blackwoodconservation.org/makonde-art/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.blackwoodconservation.org/makonde-art/" rel="nofollow">https://www.blackwoodconservation.org/makonde-art/</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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