Makonde Root Wood Bust – Tribal Elder Portrait Sculpture
Portsmouth, Southsea, United Kingdom
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Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Other Wood
Style
Mid Century Modern, Vintage, African, Traditional
Product Details
Description
Makonde Root Wood Elder Bust – Hand-Carved 1950s Tribal Sculpture
Key Design Features
Makonde tribe, Tanzania / Mozambique region
Mid-20th century (c.1950s)
Hand-carved from native African root wood
Portrait of a tribal elder with expressive detail
Natural patina and age-related character
Larger scale: 45cm (H) × 20cm (W) × 13cm (D)
Un-signed, consistent with period workshop craftsmanship
This exceptional mid-century Makonde root wood bust is a powerful and authentic example of 1950s East African tribal artistry. Carved in the Tanzania–Mozambique region, the sculptor has transformed a single tree root into a deeply expressive portrait of a tribal elder — a figure symbolising wisdom, authority, and ancestral continuity within Makonde culture.
A Sculpture Shaped by Nature and Hand
Crafted from native African root wood, the artist has allowed the natural curve and rugged texture of the material to define the composition. The result is a striking, organic silhouette — part portrait, part natural totem — that captures both the human form and the living essence of the tree.
The front of the sculpture is meticulously hand-finished, featuring:
Finely modelled brows and eyes
A boldly carved beard and mouth
Traditional neck adornment indicating status
A warm, polished surface enriched by decades of natural patina
In contrast, the reverse retains its raw, unworked form, displaying the tree’s original contours — a hallmark of traditional Makonde root-form carving.
Authenticity in Every Detail
The rich patina, natural drying lines, and gentle wear are all consistent with genuine mid-20th-century Makonde workshop production. As is typical for the period, the sculpture is unsigned, reinforcing its traditional origins and communal workshop lineage.
Standing at an impressive 45cm tall, this is a commanding, sculptural piece — larger and more characterful than many comparable mid-century Makonde busts.
A culturally significant artwork with strong visual presence, organic beauty, and timeless appeal.
Period: Circa 1950s (consistent with mid-century Makonde carving style and wood patination)
Material: Probably Muninga (Pterocarpus angolensis) root wood. Heavy Weight.
Provenance: Makonde tribe — Tanzania / Mozambique region, East Africa
Approximate Dimensions:
45cm high
20cm wide
13cm deep
SKU (stock keeping unit): 1002074
Condition report:
Condition: As you can imagine, our products have had a life before we got them, been used and cherished by many others before we received them. Therefore, you will see signs of ageing, natural wear, ancient repairs, fading & marks which create their unique individual look. Overall the condition is good and commensurate with its age.
Additional Note: Unless specified ornaments or props shown are not included.
Wear Condition
Good
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Additional Delivery Info from Seller
We are based on the south coast PO5 and on average our dispatch and delivery time takes less than a week. For example we go to London & the home counties twice a week. We always use dedicated furniture specialist to carefully handle and move large pieces around the country, some locations may take two weeks. Parts of Scotland usually take just over two weeks. Small items that are safe to package and ship via Parcelforce can take 2-4 days, this does depending on the time of week you order, i.e. if you order on a Friday the item wont leave until Monday. Rest assured we start the delivery process the day we receive your order, or the next day if order later in the day or evening. If you need to delay a delivery due to personal reasons, moving in to a new property or away on holiday, we can help with this as well.
Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
Yes
Made to Last
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Reviews
5.0
Based on 7 reviews
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
Clear, predictable protection for every pre-loved purchase.
Simple £75 flat return fee for UK-to-UK mainland furniture when you change your mind.
Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to mainland UK addresses. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
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1. Free cancellations
Changed your mind before dispatch?
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To cancel an order, click Create cancellation on the order page.
Once an item has been dispatched, delivery costs are not refundable.
Bespoke, personalised or made-to-order pieces cannot be cancelled.
2. Returning an item
You have 14 days from delivery to request a return.
There are two return types:
A. The item isn't as described (free return)
If your piece arrives and it doesn't match the listing in any material way (incorrect description, undisclosed damage, inaccurate measurements, misleading photos), you are fully protected:
- Free return
- The seller or Vinterior arranges pickup
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This applies to all purchases.
B. You changed your mind
UK-to-UK furniture deliveries:
To make UK furniture returns predictable and stress-free, we offer a simple flat return fee of £75.
- Applies to furniture delivered from a UK mainland seller to a mainland UK address. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
- Pickup arranged for you
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We coordinate the return with either the seller's chosen courier or our trusted delivery partner.
All other items
Most smaller items are straightforward to return.
You can still return your item within 14 days.
- For smaller or parcel-sized items, you can choose to post the item back yourself using a tracked service, or the seller can suggest a preferred courier.
- For larger or more fragile pieces, the seller may recommend the safest return method.
- Return delivery costs vary depending on size and courier.
The seller will confirm the best option based on the item.
3. If your item arrives damaged
Damage on arrival is uncommon, especially for UK furniture deliveries.
But if something does go wrong, you're fully protected.
- Let us know as soon as possible (ideally within 72 hours of delivery) so we can resolve things quickly
- Share photos so we understand what happened
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You’re always protected when something goes wrong in transit.
Your statutory rights apply for up to 30 days from delivery.
4. What can't be returned
Some items cannot be returned:
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5. How to start a return
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- Open your order
- Click Create a return
- Add notes + photos if relevant
We'll guide you through the rest.
6. What happens next
- We review your request, confirm the return and advise on next steps
- Pickup or return method is arranged
- The item is returned to the seller
- We issue your refund once the seller confirms the item's condition
Returns are completed smoothly once the pickup is arranged.
7. Refunds
Once the seller receives the piece back in the same condition it was sent, we'll issue your refund to your original payment method.
Once a refund is issued, it may take up to 5–10 working days for the funds to appear back on your original payment method, depending on your bank or card provider.
If the item is returned with new damage that wasn't present at delivery, the refund may be adjusted following review.
Need help?
If you have questions about a return or your order, our support team is here to help. Email us at [email protected] or find other ways to contact us here.
What your service fee covers
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14-day return guarantee
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Flat-fee return shipping on UK furniture
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Seller vetting
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Dedicated customer support
| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
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