Ancestor figure - Mahafaly - Madagascar
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€ 50
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 330 - € 400
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ALOALO, a Mahafaly wooden memorial statue from Madagascar, carved from Menabe hardwood, dating to ca. 1950–1960, measuring 156 cm high, 17 cm wide and 10 cm deep and weighing about 3 kg, in moderate to heavily worn condition with possible missing small parts.
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Description from the seller
AL121 ALOALO, 2 sacred Dead Bird Ziny (Lolo), ca. 1950, head and foot part complete, double-sided astrological ornaments, massively carved from a single wooden slab, acquired 1976, 156 x 17 x 10 cm, 3 kg
Fundamental information on the burial cult in Madagascar in the literature (e.g. in the book below). The sculpture has, in addition to the usual base foot that sits in the ground, four ornamental pattern fragments with the typical astrological signs as above: the sun, then stars, and the (flat) earth. Also the waters of the oceans belong to it. Also cardinal directions may be incorporated. Sacred birds and zebus are recurring symbols on the head parts of the memorial stelae, as also here. Islamic religious influences foster the belief in avian beings and the dead birds, the Ziny (Arabic for Djinns), which can become sites of soul spirits and thus appear on many AloAlo of the southern tribes. The Malagasy names for the Zinys are lolo, matoatoa or avelo. They can serve as vessels for souls or as companions into the ancestral realm. On the back parts of the birds there are light transport damages from the 1970s.
Brown hard wood, grayish tint from decades of oxidation with strong weathering, wind and rain wear, damage from old insect feeding (now worm-free), lichen growth also as an age indicator, 156 x 17 x 10, 3.0 kg, find location region around Tulear/Ambatry, shipping only as bulky goods, please inquire for costs. For free-standing display an extra stand for 90,- € can be purchased (PayPal) to hang the sculpture on its arm and then secure it tipping-proof.
The authentic AloAlo are a artistic rarity, because the ancestral cult, which originates from Papa Neuginea, worldwide only found physical expression in Madagascar in these stelae. The export of cultural goods / antiques is strictly limited in Madagascar. Our old originals have partly been in family ownership since 1975 and, due to increasing collector value, also represent a fruitful investment. Documents will be provided. (Reference book "Arts Anciens de Madagascar" p. 268)
Seller's Story
Mahafaly acts with a passion for the culture and history of Madagascar. A special connection to Madagascar began in my parents' home; my father for years led infrastructure construction projects there and got to know areas with archaic cultural forms. He eagerly collected artifacts and sculptures, including the famous AloAlo Totems and everyday objects. I myself was involved in building a social project in the 1990s and I speak the local language. More than 20 years ago I began collaborating with traditionally run manufacturing workshops in the country. Mahafaly imports appealing recycled and natural goods such as metal models, horn items, Raphia, and typical minerals, all under a fair trade concept.
Translated by Google TranslateAL121 ALOALO, 2 sacred Dead Bird Ziny (Lolo), ca. 1950, head and foot part complete, double-sided astrological ornaments, massively carved from a single wooden slab, acquired 1976, 156 x 17 x 10 cm, 3 kg
Fundamental information on the burial cult in Madagascar in the literature (e.g. in the book below). The sculpture has, in addition to the usual base foot that sits in the ground, four ornamental pattern fragments with the typical astrological signs as above: the sun, then stars, and the (flat) earth. Also the waters of the oceans belong to it. Also cardinal directions may be incorporated. Sacred birds and zebus are recurring symbols on the head parts of the memorial stelae, as also here. Islamic religious influences foster the belief in avian beings and the dead birds, the Ziny (Arabic for Djinns), which can become sites of soul spirits and thus appear on many AloAlo of the southern tribes. The Malagasy names for the Zinys are lolo, matoatoa or avelo. They can serve as vessels for souls or as companions into the ancestral realm. On the back parts of the birds there are light transport damages from the 1970s.
Brown hard wood, grayish tint from decades of oxidation with strong weathering, wind and rain wear, damage from old insect feeding (now worm-free), lichen growth also as an age indicator, 156 x 17 x 10, 3.0 kg, find location region around Tulear/Ambatry, shipping only as bulky goods, please inquire for costs. For free-standing display an extra stand for 90,- € can be purchased (PayPal) to hang the sculpture on its arm and then secure it tipping-proof.
The authentic AloAlo are a artistic rarity, because the ancestral cult, which originates from Papa Neuginea, worldwide only found physical expression in Madagascar in these stelae. The export of cultural goods / antiques is strictly limited in Madagascar. Our old originals have partly been in family ownership since 1975 and, due to increasing collector value, also represent a fruitful investment. Documents will be provided. (Reference book "Arts Anciens de Madagascar" p. 268)
Seller's Story
Mahafaly acts with a passion for the culture and history of Madagascar. A special connection to Madagascar began in my parents' home; my father for years led infrastructure construction projects there and got to know areas with archaic cultural forms. He eagerly collected artifacts and sculptures, including the famous AloAlo Totems and everyday objects. I myself was involved in building a social project in the 1990s and I speak the local language. More than 20 years ago I began collaborating with traditionally run manufacturing workshops in the country. Mahafaly imports appealing recycled and natural goods such as metal models, horn items, Raphia, and typical minerals, all under a fair trade concept.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Material
Hardwood Menabe
Country of origin
Madagascar
Ethnic group/culture
Mahafaly
Height
156 cm
Indigenous object name
Aloalo
Width
17 cm
Sold with stand
No
Depth
10 cm
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Estimated period
1950-1960
