OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MADAGASCAR 302. ROSEWOOD CURVED HOLY FAMILY
This Nativity scene from the island of Madagascar contains Joseph and Mary curved so they can admire their baby Jesus. The piece is carved from one piece of rosewood, which 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 piece measures 5.5 inches high.
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.