Masai ebony bust with cowrie necklace

This antique ebony bust portrays a Masai woman from East Africa, with a serene face, a shaved head encircled by a woven diadem and the elongated earlobes of tradition, adorned with earrings. Around her neck she wears a cowrie shell necklace, a symbol of prosperity in many African cultures.

Ebony, one of the densest and most prized woods in the world, takes a deep polish that brings out every feature. The garment carved in fine bands contrasts with the softness of the face.

At about thirty centimeters high, it is perfect for a shelf, a bookcase or a coffee table. An intimate, elegant piece. One of a kind.