Statuette for ID

kronckew · 31st August 2019, 03:35 PM

Funny, I was staring at my bottle of Dow's Master Blend "Finest Reserve Port" last night, almost had a bit. Then this morning my screen background showed the attached and I thought "Been there, done that, had the T-Shirt - and don't want to do THAT again.". So I copied a section of it.

fernando · 31st August 2019, 03:56 PM

kronckew · 31st August 2019, 06:00 PM

I missed my glass of port & the ship no doubt had barnacles. seemed to fit. Odd coincidence?

mariusgmioc · 14th September 2019, 03:04 PM

Hello Fernando!
Lucky strike!
I am currently in Tanzania and just purchased a very, very similar statue, but in ebony.
It is Makonde. Makonde people are inhabiting Mozambique, Tanzania and a small region of Kenya and are famous for their carvings.
You can browse the net and look for "makonde raw ebony bust" and most certainly find what I am talking about. I also attach a photo from the net.
Mine has strikingly similar features with yours. Maybe will send you a photo of it once I get home.

fernando · 14th September 2019, 03:51 PM

Thank you Marius.
However may i be skeptical about the suggested origins of both my sculpture and the example you show

.
I know a little about Macondes; i have been in contact with them during my army service in norther Mozambique. I saw them working the black wood and even bought a couple pieces to bring home; the religious images version, for my mother. In the version of human images they usually depict faces like their own, deeply tattooed. So when i see someone announcing a Maconde bust with a plain face i immediately doubt it is genuine. I might be wrong but ...
Also that know of, they are known to basically work black wood, not ivory... but again.

.

mariusgmioc · 14th September 2019, 05:18 PM

Well, near Dar es Salaam there is a Makonde ethnic village where they have on sale exactly this type of sculptures... among about 1895.3 other types.

So, I guess they are, at least nowdays, producing a whole range of artwork for all tastes.

Once I get home, I will take some photos of my statue and send them to you.

Meanwhile... this was my best guess!

fernando · 14th September 2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

... Meanwhile... this was my best guess!

Which i thank you

.
I was there in 1969/1970.

31st August 2019, 03:35 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	Funny, I was staring at my bottle of Dow's Master Blend "Finest Reserve Port" last night, almost had a bit. Then this morning my screen background showed the attached and I thought "Been there, done that, had the T-Shirt - and don't want to do THAT again.". So I copied a section of it. Attached Images

14th September 2019, 03:04 PM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Hello Fernando! Lucky strike! I am currently in Tanzania and just purchased a very, very similar statue, but in ebony. It is Makonde. Makonde people are inhabiting Mozambique, Tanzania and a small region of Kenya and are famous for their carvings. You can browse the net and look for "makonde raw ebony bust" and most certainly find what I am talking about. I also attach a photo from the net. Mine has strikingly similar features with yours. Maybe will send you a photo of it once I get home. Attached Images Last edited by mariusgmioc; 14th September 2019 at 03:25 PM.

14th September 2019, 03:51 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Marius. However may i be skeptical about the suggested origins of both my sculpture and the example you show . I know a little about Macondes; i have been in contact with them during my army service in norther Mozambique. I saw them working the black wood and even bought a couple pieces to bring home; the religious images version, for my mother. In the version of human images they usually depict faces like their own, deeply tattooed. So when i see someone announcing a Maconde bust with a plain face i immediately doubt it is genuine. I might be wrong but ... Also that know of, they are known to basically work black wood, not ivory... but again. . Attached Images

31st August 2019, 03:56 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694

31st August 2019, 06:00 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	I missed my glass of port & the ship no doubt had barnacles. seemed to fit. Odd coincidence?

14th September 2019, 05:18 PM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Well, near Dar es Salaam there is a Makonde ethnic village where they have on sale exactly this type of sculptures... among about 1895.3 other types. So, I guess they are, at least nowdays, producing a whole range of artwork for all tastes. Once I get home, I will take some photos of my statue and send them to you. Meanwhile... this was my best guess!