Figure masculine de sépulture
German Private Collection, Munich
Description
wood, weathering, wind abrasion, lichens, missing parts, base
The sculpture from Madagascar is mainly grave sculpture and was placed in a prominent location in a large cemetery. This also results in the heavily weathered surface structure of the present figure.
In western Madagascar, the Sakalava place their dead in rectilinear enclosures of wood fencing (or walls of stacked stones), the corners of which are embellished with figural sculptures, typically bird figures complemented by representations of men and women (see Goy, 2015, p. 246, ill. 75 and p. 265, ill. 80).
The Mahafaly peoples of southern Madagascar marked their tombs with sculptures known as “aloalo”. These are wood stelae of monumental size, carved with elaborate geometric designs such as crescents and open circles, usually surmounted by figural carvings representing humans, birds, or zebu. (After A. I. Bortolot, 2003)