Wood carving sculpture Africa - tree of life - the Makonde tribe Large and heavy woodcarving in ebony wood (the only wood sort that does not float because of its specific heavy weight). Ebony wood = Diospyros ebenum. Craftsmanship is required to carve such a detailed and good work of art. It must be a pagan task to create this with primitive means. The cutting down of such valuable trees is currently restricted. In this figure, a middle piece of a tree still has the bark which in itself is a very beautiful structure. So also the back is a real picture to see. It seems like a fossil trunk! It is firm like a house, so not wobbly. The multitude of characters (I am counting 11 for sure) are fully interdependent and have separate article edits (structures). The excellent head (on a Branch) sticks out his tongue. Because of the curve it radiates a great expressive power. This is called TREE OF LIFE because it represents the togetherness of the tribe. The MAKONDE are known for this kind of craftsmanship. Size: 63 cm high, the Matchbox indicates the ratio! weight: Approx. 15 kilo.