Sakalava, Madagascar: A very old female funerary figure of the Sakalava people, from the western part of the island of Madagascar.
Sakalava, Madagascar: A very old female funerary figure of the Sakalava people, from the western part of the island of Madagascar.
The Sakalava are a numerous tribe on the west coast of Madagascar. Their rectangular graves, fenced off with wooden edgings, are hidden in the ‘bush’ and may only be visited with the permission of the chief. At the edges of the graves, the Sakalava place figures that may carry the deceased through into the ancestral worlds. The present upright female figure of very hard, light-coloured wood, evinces very nice competent craftsmanship and finely articulated proportions. The slim arms are carved out independent of the torso, with an object held in one hand. The sculpture is very old and has stood in the open for many decades, constantly exposed to water and wind. This (long-lasting rain) is also the reason for the optically very interesting weathering and the cracks and missing pieces. H: 80 cm. 19th century to c. 1900. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian Private Collection.
Lit.: 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 1395, 1396; 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 205, ill. 4,5.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
02.11.2015 - 14:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 4,000.-
Sakalava, Madagascar: A very old female funerary figure of the Sakalava people, from the western part of the island of Madagascar.
The Sakalava are a numerous tribe on the west coast of Madagascar. Their rectangular graves, fenced off with wooden edgings, are hidden in the ‘bush’ and may only be visited with the permission of the chief. At the edges of the graves, the Sakalava place figures that may carry the deceased through into the ancestral worlds. The present upright female figure of very hard, light-coloured wood, evinces very nice competent craftsmanship and finely articulated proportions. The slim arms are carved out independent of the torso, with an object held in one hand. The sculpture is very old and has stood in the open for many decades, constantly exposed to water and wind. This (long-lasting rain) is also the reason for the optically very interesting weathering and the cracks and missing pieces. H: 80 cm. 19th century to c. 1900. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian Private Collection.
Lit.: 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 1395, 1396; 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 205, ill. 4,5.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 02.11.2015 - 14:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 28.10. - 02.11.2015 |