A superb Makonde Madonna in prayer, carved from true African Ebony.

The Makonde live along the Mueda Plateau in Southern Tanzania and Northern Mozambique. The Makonde have long been celebrated for their exceptional skill in woodcarving, originally carving in African Ebony (Diosryos dendo) as in this early example, later in African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) and most recently the much softer coconut wood.

Although the Makonde resisted slavery and missionary conversion, the majority are now Catholic. The subject of Mary, Mother of Christ, the Madonna, is a popular one: possibly encouraged by a creation myth that the Mother of the Makonde was a carving which was gifted with life by its maker.

This is one of the best carved and most interesting Makonde Madonnas you will ever see. It is a truly devotional piece. Graceful and willowy, head slightly bowed, Mary is entirely focused in prayer. She wears a flowing, stylised garment that fuses European portrayals of the Madonna and the traditional African Kanga, decorated at the edges with textured triangles. The simplicity of the costume attenuates the fine detailing of the face, hands and feet.

The use of true African Ebony and the influence of art deco on the styling of the figure suggests to me that is dates between 1930-50; but that has to be conjectural.

The piece stands approximately 238mm tall, and is 56mm wide and 55mm deep. The condition is excellent.

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