Αρ. 101386081

Elephant-Headed Shetani Spirit Figure in Mpingo Ebony - Άγαλμα - Διάβολος - Τανζανία (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)
Αρ. 101386081

Elephant-Headed Shetani Spirit Figure in Mpingo Ebony - Άγαλμα - Διάβολος - Τανζανία (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)
Elephant-Headed Shetani Spirit Figure in Mpingo Ebony, Tanzania, c. 1970
This sculptural figure represents a Shetani, a spirit being central to Tanzanian coastal and inland belief systems. The carving combines a human body with an elephant-like head and elongated trunk, a deliberate distortion intended to embody a supernatural presence rather than a naturalistic form. The work is executed in mpingo ebony, a dense hardwood traditionally reserved for objects of cultural or symbolic importance.
Manufacturer and origin
Hand-carved by an anonymous artisan, Tanzania.
Year of production
Circa 1970
Style or function
Shetani spirit figure; ritual and symbolic sculpture, also collected as ethnographic and interior art.
Current condition
Good condition. Minor surface wear and natural patina consistent with age and handling. No structural cracks or restorations observed. The carving retains its original form and surface character.
Value justification
Shetani figures carved from mpingo ebony are increasingly scarce due to material restrictions and declining traditional production. The refined contrast between polished planes and deliberately rough-textured areas demonstrates skilled hand carving. The elephant-headed variant is less commonly encountered than standard anthropomorphic Shetani forms, increasing collector interest across African art and sculptural design categories.
Cultural and historical context
Shetani figures originate from Swahili and Zaramo cultural contexts in Tanzania, where they represent spirits associated with protection, danger, illness, or ancestral forces. Exaggerated anatomy and unsettling features are intentional, serving to ward off harm and assert spiritual presence. This work reflects the late 20th-century continuation of traditional Shetani carving, before widespread commercialization altered scale and materials.
State of preservation
Original surface preserved, with visible hand-tool marks, natural patina, and no evidence of later alteration.
Dimensions
Height 36 cm
Width 11 cm
Depth 9 cm
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#africanart #shetani #mpingo #tanzania #woodsculpture
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