Standing grave post figure

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Description

wood, greyish brown patina, red pigment remains, holding a small figure in front of the belly, multi-lobed coiffure, dam., missing parts, strong traces of weathering;
figural sculpture of Madagaskar is basically made for graves. Present figure was 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.

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Comparing literature

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

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