Blackwood Makonde Staff with Inlay

Like people everywhere, African artists adjusted to their changing environments whether it was they themselves who had moved, or the conditions of their surroundings had been altered. Among the changes which effected the Makonde in the 20th century were finding themselves in a new economy, settling in new lands in search of paid employment, coming into contact with new neighbors and potential clients, acquiring new tools and in so doing embracing new materials, carving techniques and subject matter. By mid century Makonde carvers with Mozambican roots were living in Tanzania and carving in the formerly unexploited African blackwood for the tourist trade. In addition to trade carvings of animals, cliche portrait busts and family sculptures known as “Uhuru” or “Family Tree” carvings, Makonde artists also carved for their own community, fashioning walking sticks (fimbos), swagger staffs and other traditional regalia often in the same medium and accustomed styles. This walking stick was fashioned in the 1960s or 70s and used locally for decades before being collected in the field south of Mtwara around 2003. Features a carved portrait head with inlaid aluminum eyes. A snake entwines much of the shaft, its surface decorated with inlaid copper and bakelite or styrene. 25″ tall, mounted on a hardwood base.

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