Description:

Southern Africa, Madagascar, Mahafaly peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A tall, nicely preserved example of a tomb marker, hand-carved from a tall piece of wood, with an openwork structure of geometric forms, mainly crescent shapes that are meant to mirror the lunar cycle - symbolic of regeneration and continuity, two of the central themes of "aloalo", the Mahafaly term for royal burial carvings. Below these carvings is an anthropomorphic figure representing the deceased - a man with a beard and a conical hat, dressed in a loincloth and cape. There are no cemeteries in this region; instead, the living choose a place to have their tomb erected in life, and once they die, construction upon it begins. Size: 5.5" W x 52.75" H (14 cm x 134 cm)

See a very similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/317882

Provenance: ex-private Pearson collection, Denver, Colorado, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#143117

  • Condition: Bottom of legs are lost, as is the top of the ring at the very top of the finial as shown in the photographs. Weathered surface with some light deposits.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 7, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000