Southern Africa, Mozambique or Tanzania, Makonde peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A finely carved wooden anthropomorphic woman standing on broad feet and slightly bent legs, her body nude to symbolize an idealized fertility and maternity figure. The wide hips, akimbo arms, herniated navel, rounded breasts, and scarification marks are classic elements of Makonde carving. The slightly oversized head has narrow lowered eyelids, a nearly completely flat and broad nose, large diamond shaped lips, and zigzagging linear scarification marks across her brow and cheeks. The cavity on the verso of the head was likely once filled with a tassel of human hair. The surface has developed a delightfully tactile and lustrous surface and a dark chocolate brown hue. Size: 3.5" L x 3" W x 14" H (8.9 cm x 7.6 cm x 35.6 cm) Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #170449