This Malawi mother-and-child bust is carved from a single piece of solid hardwood — the weight of it tells you something before you even look closely.
Maker: Unknown artisan
Materials: Solid hardwood (likely mahogany, ebony, or rosewood), hand carved
Dimensions: 8.75" tall × approx. 4" wide
Origin: Malawi, Africa
Era: Vintage, 1950s–1960s
Condition: Very good — slight wear on nose (photographed); no other issues. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
This bust depicts a Malawi woman holding her baby, with an intricate cornrow braid hairstyle, fine facial detail, and decorative carving covering the entire piece. Nearly 2 lbs. of solid hardwood before packaging. One available.
For a collector of indigenous art, a lover of African craft, or anyone who wants a piece of genuine cultural weight on their shelf. A meaningful Kwanzaa gift or a statement addition to an Afrocentric or world art collection.
Unsigned and unattributed, as is common with traditional African carving of this period, where the craft was communal rather than individual — a tradition that valued mastery of technique and cultural meaning over an individual maker's name.
Browse our shop for more vintage African carvings and indigenous world art to round out your collection.
