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OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MADAGASCAR  395. LARGER FANAZAVA NATIVITY

Picture
This Nativity set from the island of Madagascar is carved from a precious white wood called Fanazava, endemic to the country. The set contains twelve pieces: the Holy Family, an angel, three shepherds, two animals, and three wise men. The Malagasy people generally carve in a detailed European style (rather than traditional African styles) because these wood carvers learned their carving style from French Jesuit priests. The tallest shepherd measures 6.75 inches high.
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This set was purchased from a carver named Dada Be (“Grandfather”) in Ambositra, a town in the region of the Betsileo tribe. This town is reputed as the artisan capital of the country, regarded as home of the best Malagasy wood carvings. Several people in the same family will work on each carving. Each person has a specific job: one does a rough outline of the figure; the second person (the best woodworker) does the detailed carving; and then others (often women) will sand, stain, and polish the sculpture.
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