OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MADAGASCAR 280. VOMBOKITSIKA NATIVITY
This Nativity set from the island of Madagascar contains twelve pieces: the Holy Family, two shepherds, three animals, an angel, and three wise men. All pieces are carved from Vombokitsika wood, which is from the rosewood family. Rosewood is becoming a rare wood in Madagascar so the government has imposed quotas on the quantity that is available to carvers. Rosewood is very hard and contains a natural oil. The standing figures are approximately 7 inches tall.
The Malagasy people carve in a detailed European style (rather than traditional African styles) because these wood carvers learned their carving style from French Jesuit priests. This set was purchased from a native carver selling in an open market in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
The Malagasy people carve in a detailed European style (rather than traditional African styles) because these wood carvers learned their carving style from French Jesuit priests. This set was purchased from a native carver selling in an open market in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.