Joseph Makenzi

"Head, " Opal Sculpture signed by Joseph Makenzi an African Shona

2002

"Bambara Queen, Rep. Mali" is a carved wood sculpture with abstracted human and animal figures. 20" x 6" x 3" The Bambara are a Mande ethnic group native to West Africa, primarily ...

"Senufo Mask of Ceremonies (from Republic Ivory Coast)" is an carved wood artifact from the Senufo people of Africa, in the northeastern cote d'Ivoire. The...

"Toma Mask, Guinea" is a carved wooden mask from Africa and created in c. 1900. The painting has worn away, but around the eyes the painting is easier to see...

"Bronze Statue - Ife, Nigeria" is a bronze sculpture created in circa 1920. This figure has short legs and a short torso, but a large head. They held out their hands with two objects...

"Bidjogue Cow Head Portuguese Guinea" is a sculpture made of wood, rope and horns. The carved bull head hangs on the wall looking out the viewer with two eyes not quite looking in th...

"Hemba Stool-Monkeys Zaire" is a carved wood stool created in Africa circa 1900-1920. The base of the stool is domed in the middle a column goes upwards to...

A large scale and beautifully carved wooden ceremonial mask from Cameroon. There are traces of colour and decoration to the surface and the mask has a magnificent patina giving it a wonderful presence as a sculptural object. The Batcham Mask or simply the Batcham originated in western Cameroon although its name refers to the place where it was first found: Batcham. This is a ceremonial mask from the Bamileke culture in the western Grasslands of Cameroon. This tall crest (76 cm in height) has clearly defined features, a powerful yet calm visage, sharply chiselled diamond and triangular furrows, and nearly perfect symmetry. Such painstaking craftsmanship underscores the sophistication and control of the sculptor in preparing this ceremonial piece. It shares the elements of Batcham masks including: The general morphology is built on two axes: a symmetrical vertical axis with chiseled furrows, stylized eyes, lips, nostrils, mouth and teeth; a horizontal axis presenting swollen cheeks, an ovular mouth showing multiple teeth, and triangular ears supported on a hollow cylindrical base. One interpretation is that the masks depict a hippopotamus emerging from watery depths, conveying nature’s power conferred to enthroned royalty. The Batcham mask represents the pi, or double animal of a great dignitary of the kingdom. It was used by a great dignitary of the Msop society who intervened only on rare occasions: during the funeral and enthronement of the king and the nine notables, and to perform the Royal Tso dance, elephant dance...

Unglazed ceramic, hand-crafted and hand-decorated. (plants not included) unknown edition size. New as issued. Due to their hand-finished nature, each sculpture differs slightly. Gra...

These cast figures and objects express status, prestige, and power. This cast metal figure exhibits the technical skill and artistry that Dogon blacksmiths brought to their work. Mad...

An elegant African sculpture from the West African Baoulé or Baule people, depicting a young woman wearing a loincloth. Smooth black lightly worn patina.

A Songye Male Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the male figure resting on one knee, with openwork arms and hands resting by the abdomen which contains various charms a...

In his series Paleofuturismo, 2023, the artist presents a series of sculptures inspired by the Aztec, Olmec, and Mayan cultures, which are intervened with elements that provide us wi...