Lot: 512

80th Tribal Art Auction

Standing female grave post figure

Madagascar, Sakalava

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Guy van Rijn, Brussels, Belgium H: 30.7 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, greyish brown patina, coiffure consisting of lobes which sprout lateral from the head, knob-shaped projection on the head, dam., surface structure marked by strong traces of weathering, cracks, missing parts, base;
part of an "aloala" funeral post, which usually have a height of two, up to four meters, and which used to be placed on the "valavato", the funeral area of distinguished clans. The restless souls of the diceased inhabited the "aloalas". They could be calmed down and honoured by sacrifices.


Kerchache, Jacques & Jean-Louis Paudrat u.a., Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika, Freiburg, Basel, Wien 1988, p. 607