The item is virtually unblemished/no cracks or breaks. The man I purchased it from in a thrift shop in Japan said it had been there for about 20 years but I have no way to authenticate that. I would really just like some info on it as I’ve been told by a few people it’s just junk, but it certainly doesn’t look or feel like “junk” to me. I admire very much the details in the carvings and find it quite beautiful.
Dimensions
It stands about 40 inches or so high or 101.6cm, and if I had to guess about at the largest part it would be about close to a foot in diameter at the base and looks to be carved from one single piece of wood.
Acquired From:
Secondhand Store
Dear Mandy, Thank you for choosing Mearto for your online appraisal. Based on the images, this item is: A Family Tree-Style Tree of Life Makonde sculpture, from 1950s or 1960s. The Family Tree Style sculptures, which are also referred to as “Tree of Life,” date back to the late 1950s and an artistic style called Dimoongo – one of the eight major Makonde styles. A style called Dimoongo (power of strength), which a local political zealot later named Ujamaa, was introduced by the late Roberto Yakobo Sangwani who migrated into Tanzania from Mozambique in the late 1950s. Good condition. Retail prices may vary.
