Details
Description
This is a matched pair of tall carved Maasai figures from Tanzania, executed in solid African Blackwood (Mpingo), one of …
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This is a matched pair of tall carved Maasai figures from Tanzania, executed in solid African Blackwood (Mpingo), one of the densest, heaviest, and most valuable carving woods in the world. The male figure measures 31 inches in height, and the female 32 inches. Both are carved from single pieces of blackwood and display the characteristic near-metal heft, deep black surface, and fine natural grain of Dalbergia melanoxylon.
The figures represent traditional Maasai male and female ceremonial archetypes, with elongated, elegant proportions, stylized facial features, and carefully balanced stances typical of mid-20th-century Tanzanian workshop carving. The male carries a symbolic staff and stands in a sentinel posture, while the female displays the refined vertical posture associated with Maasai artistic conventions. Their scale, visual harmony, and identical material confirm their intentional creation as a paired set.
They are priced at the appraised value, representing the sum of independent valuations; no paired premium applied.
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- Dimensions
- 9ʺW × 6ʺD × 31ʺH
- Styles
- African
- Period
- 1950s
- Country of Origin
- Tanzania, United Republic of
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Ebony
- Condition Notes
- Both sculptures remain in excellent condition, given their age. The dense blackwood surfaces retain an even, natural dark with minimal … moreBoth sculptures remain in excellent condition, given their age. The dense blackwood surfaces retain an even, natural dark with minimal wear. No structural cracks, separation lines, repairs, or losses are visible. The extreme density of Mpingo has preserved the integrity of the carvings, leaving both figures notably heavy and stable. Minor natural grain variations and small tool marks are normal for hand-carved Tanzanian blackwood sculpture. No indicators of environmental damage are present. less
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