OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MADAGASCAR 304. FANAZAVA NATIVITY
This Nativity set from the island of Madagascar contains eleven pieces: the Holy Family, two shepherds, two animals, an angel, and three wise men. All pieces are carved from a precious white wood called Fanazava, endemic to the country. The standing figures are 4.5 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.