African Art Fine Seated Mother & Child Makonde Tanzania - eBay, African, Cultural, Religious, Collectables. (end time 13-Dec-09 14:54:15 AEDST)

African Art at Timbuctu to Tasmania

Visit my eBay store


Store Categories
Store home African Masks Helmet Masks & Headdress African Figurative Sculpture Zoomorphic Carvings African Utilitarian Objects African Dolls African Fetish Charms Ceremonial & Royal Court Art Curios and Handcraft

Unusual seated maternity figure of a young woman with baby, Makonde People, Tanzania.

This beautiful figure, hand carved from hard wood, expresses the realistic style of the Makonde carvers with classic facial decoration and labret. In relatively good condition this figure has a darkened weathered patina whar appears to be a small village repair on one of the baby's arms. It was collected in 2002 and measures 76 x 28 x 29 cm. Shipping weight for international post is 13.5kg. I am sorry about the postal cost. Long haul flights from Australia are expensive. (see pictures).

The Makonde of Tanzania and Mozambique are separated by the Rovuma River and are culturally distinct. Immigration from Mozambique to Tanzania has resulted in a blurring of ethnic identities and a sharing of certain ideas. Because of the relative isolation of their homeland, the first contacts with Europeans did not occur until 1910, and then they were very sporadic. Communication with this region is very difficult which has contributed to a strong sense of ethnic self-consciousness.This isolation also means that they have not been greatly influenced by colonial and post-colonial developments. They are known nationally for fiercely defending their culture, way of life, and land. The coastal location of the Makonde, however, indicates that they were involved with Swahili slave traders for centuries.
According to legend, shortly after the Creation, the first man, wandering around outside the bush, sculpted a female figure out of wood, and the statue became a real woman who gave him many children and, after her death, became the venerated ancestress of the Makonde. This accounts for the ancestress cult as well as the profusion of sculpted female figures, kept in huts. The masks sometimes represent ancestral spirits, sometimes animals. The ancestors come back masked in order to express their joy at the successful achievement of initiation. Their presence is proof of the tight bonds that exist between the living and the dead.
The Makonde are almost the only ethnicity in East Africa to create fairly naturalistic sculptures – primarily maternity figures, which are intended to ensure the fertility of the fields and women. The upper lip of the female figurine is elongated by a labret. The standing figures often have the arms separated from the body. These male and female figures represent ancestors, and have protective functions.

Please email for quote for shipping discounts on multiple items.
International buyers please email for shipping quotation, methods and times before buying.
Unless otherwise requested international shipments go via Australia post - Air Parcel post http://www1.auspost.com.au/pac/int_parcel.asp
We carry an international shipping insurance policy which covers all of our international as well as domestic freight and post. Individual items with a value greater than AU$500 incur an excess of AU$350.00. Individual items with a value less than AU$500 are exempt from excess. http://www.xe.com/ucc/
We are not responsible for any transit damage however we do pack all goods in solid and secure packaging.
We are not responsible for any international tax or duty charges.
We will provide paperwork for Customs that accompanies each package.
Payment on all auctions must be received within 7 days.
All of our African art has been fumigated and passed Australian Customs and Quarantine inspection on arrival in Australia.
Please note: Our collection is also for sale from our retail galleries. It may be necessary to withdraw them from Auction at any time if sold.
This item is made by hand, may be old and used. Wear and imperfections are expected. It is described to the best of our ability and any damage will be visible in the images. If you are unsure of the item condition please email for further images or detail before bidding.

For images of some more items in our collection go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalk_tribal_galleries/sets/

When buying in Africa we use fair trade practice.
For more information about Sidewalk Tribal Galleries please check the following links:
Sidewalk Tribal Galleries African Art
How old are these artefacts?
Our ethics policy
(We do have a new web site under construction and it is taking a little time to launch. Our wonderful web designer is working into the nights to get it done. So thank you for your patience and may we suggest that you check again in a few weeks).

Please feel free to email me for further information: ann@sidewalkgallery.com.au

Check out my other items
Be sure to add me to your favourites list

Since its inception in 1989 Sidewalk Gallery has become a renowned Tribal Arts Gallery. Specialising in Antique & Traditional African Sculpture representing more than 85 separate cultures collected from 26 countries across Africa.

Ethnic jewellery and other items of adornment , both antique & contemporary, from every continent continues to astound all who enter the gallery.
The collection is spectacular.

Postage and handling

Item location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Posting to: Worldwide

Change country:	Postcode:

Postage and handling	To	Service	Estimated delivery*
AU $60.00	Australia	Regular	3-8 business days after seller receives cleared payment

*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's handling time, the shipping service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for postage service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.

Domestic handling time	Postal insurance
Will usually post within 2 business days of receiving cleared payment.	Domestic: Included (in the postage and handling cost) International: Not offered

Return policy

Item must be returned within

Refund will be given as

Return policy details

7 days after the buyer receives it

Money Back

Any defective product must be notified within 3 days upon receipt of shipment for exchange.
Shipping fees are non-refundable for all returned items.
Returned goods must be packaged in original packaging and carton.
An authorisation number is required on all returned packages. Please email us for a return number.
Products accepted for return that have been damaged through misuse, and/or have been tampered with do not qualify for a refund/exchange.

Refunds by law: In Australia, consumers have a legal right to obtain a refund from a business for goods purchased (but not at auction) if the goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or don't match description. More information at returns.

Payment details

Payment method	Preferred/Accepted	Buyer protection on eBay
	PayPal Preferred
Visa/MasterCard	Accepted
Other - See seller's payment instructions	Accepted
Bank Deposit	Accepted	Not Available

Seller's payment instructions

For shipping purposes please supply a phone number after your successful bid. Please show item number on all transactions and any communication. Email for reduced shipping rate on multiple items purchased.