Zaramo Marionette, Tanzania 5 FEET, African Carving Start Price USD 1,200.00 Current Price USD 1,200.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, October 04, 2008 End Time Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Zaramo Marionette, Tanzania 5 FEET, African Carving' Description Zaramo Marionette, Tanzania 5 FEET, African Carving Type of Object: Life size marionette figure. Ethnic Group: Zaramo Country of Origin: Tanzania Materials: wood, pigments and cloth. Approximate Age: Mid 20th century Dimensions: Height is 5 Feet (152 cm) Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: scratches Additional Information: An extraordinary piece. Head and legs fit into holes in the torso, while the free-swinging arms are on nails. This piece will be shipped in 4 pieces. Some assembly required. Zaramo spare figures such as this are exquisite in their simplicity.Their use is not known.Their articulated limbs indicate that the piece has been used as a marionette in a sort of theatrical representation.  The exceptionally explicit genitalia make me doubt that this is a funerary piece. Marc Felix's book on Tanzanian art, MWANA HITI, has a picture of a smaller piece with similar face and movable arms and legs, which he opines may have been a funerary piece. This one has "fixed" legs once they are inserted. It is alike that  such figures were more likely used as ancestor figures and worship to bring good luck and blessing, and fertility when used in the ceremonies of youth initiation. Tanzanian tribal art is less researched and published than Western and Central art. There are still superb pieces coming out of rural areas. There original context is lost. This is an unusual very large Zaramo figure with a lot of presence. It would stand out in any collection. Recommended Reading: Marc Felix's book on Tanzanian art, MWANA HITI.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **W3440** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!