Standing grave post figure · Madagascar, Sakalava · ID: 3033072
Hans Petereit, Cologne, Germany
Description
wood, greyish brown patina, red pigment remains, slightly bent legs, holding a small figure in front of the belly, a face with features that are strongly weather beaten, multi-lobed coiffure, dam., missing parts, traces of weathering, on 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.
The object Standing grave post figure with the object ID 3033072 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 454.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Kerchache, Jacques, Paudrat, Jean-Louis u.a., Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika, Freiburg, Basel, Wien 1988, p. 607