Shona Mermaid

Shona Mermaid Front

Shona Mermaid Back

Shona Mermaid Bottom

Shona Mermaid Left

Shona Mermaid Right

Previous Next

Collection

African Art Collection

Description

This expressive wood carving with free-flowing form gracefully depicts a mermaid. Mermaids have a special place in Shona culture. Created around 1995, the modern abstract carving shows a mermaid with a hole in her head, extended belly, and tail fin that wraps up and touches the mermaid’s buttocks. The carving is in excellent condition.

Artists/Makers

The Shona The Shona Peoples of Zimbabwe Read Biography

The Shona

×

GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Zimbabwe, Shona. The Shona people of southeast Zimbabwe are noted for their agriculture, pottery, ironwork, wood carving, and music. Traditional Shona once worshipped the all-powerful god and creator Mwari. Western education, urbanization, coupled with the influx of Christian and Muslim traditions have greatly weakened traditional Shona institutions.

Student Work

No

Culture

Shona

Geography

Zimbabwe

Medium

Mahogany and wood polish

Classification

Sculpture

Accession Number

2022.01.012

Accession Date

May 2022

Donated By

Reginald and Celeste Hodges

Donation Date

May 2022