Subject: Valuation Inquiry: Master-Signed, Large 26" Makonde African Blackwood Sculpture (Kodo Joseph, 2001)Body:Hello,I am looking to get a free preliminary valuation, market estimate, or historical context for a high-end Makonde sculpture from my collection. After extensive research, I have verified that this is a gallery-grade piece rather than standard commercial trade art, and I would love an expert opinion on its secondary market value.Here are the exact specifications and features of the piece:Artist / Carver: Kodo Joseph (Inscribed horizontally on the base)Cooperative / Gallery Initials: BG (Inscribed vertically on the base)Exact Completion Date: February 25, 2001 (Inscribed as "25-2-2001" on the base)Height: 26 inches tallMaterial: Solid, high-density African Blackwood (Mpingo). The artist masterfully utilized the natural wood grain, positioning the dark heartwood across the figure's left side as a natural shadow, while utilizing the golden sapwood to highlight the physical anatomy of the body.Style: Naturalistic Binadamu style, depicting a highly expressive traditional warrior or hunter elder.Key Intricate Details: The figure features deeply chiseled hair texture, an organic hide/grass skirt, a polished gourd vessel clutched to the chest, and a harvested gazelle/antelope tucked under the arm. The sculpture exhibits exceptional use of negative space throughout the limbs and objects.Special Mechanical Feature: Demonstrating elite precision joinery, both the hunting spear and the large hunting knife are entirely separate, friction-fit components that are fully removable from the main body of the sculpture.I have attached multi-angle photographs showing the full statue, the close-up details of the carving, the intricate negative space, and the clear signature/dating on the underside of the base.Given the verified master signature, turn-of-the-century date, rare 26-inch scale of solid African Blackwood, and the precision of the removable weapons, what would you estimate the current retail gallery value or auction estimate to be?Thank you for your time and expertise!