Bidspirit auction | A Makonde Ebony Ujamaa Tree

A Makonde Ebony Ujamaa Tree of Life Carved Sculpture - A hand-carved Makonde sculpture of the Ujamaa type, also known as a Tree of Life. The sculpture is fashioned from a single section of dense ebony, featuring a vertical column of interconnected human figures. These figures are rendered in various climbing and supporting poses in high relief, displaying stylised anatomical forms and textured headdresses. The front of the pole is densely populated with these interlocking figures, while the reverse side retains much of the raw, hewn texture of the original timber, with a single face carved near the base. The wood exhibits the characteristic deep black hue of natural ebony with a polished finish applied to the sculpted figures. No maker's marks, signatures, or labels are visible on the item. Height: 53.5 cm.