Vintage African Hand-Carved Wood Figure of a Woman Carrying a Vessel

This is a hand-carved wooden figurative sculpture depicting a slender African woman in a traditional pose, balancing a large vessel or water pot atop her head. The figure is carved from a single block of medium-toned wood, likely a tropical hardwood such as mahogany or teak, finished with a warm, amber-colored stain or wax. The carving style is elongated and semi-abstract, characteristic of mid-20th-century African folk art or 'airport art' produced for the souvenir trade. She is rendered with one arm raised to steady the vessel and the other resting on her hip. The facial features are minimal, with a long, narrow nose and simple gouged eyes. The clothing is represented by sharp, angular lines defining a simple blouse and an ankle-length skirt. The entire figure stands on an integrated rectangular plinth base. The craftsmanship shows visible chisel and gouge marks, indicating it was made by hand rather than machined. In terms of condition, there is a visible natural patina with light surface wear and minor scuffing consistent with age. There appear to be some darker spots or stains on the torso, possibly from handling or natural variations in the wood grain. No major cracks, breaks, or repairs are immediately evident, though there is a small nick on the front edge of the base. This piece likely dates from the 1960s to the 1980s.