OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MADAGASCAR 397. MALAGASY HOLY FAMILY
This Holy Family scene from the island of Madagascar is carved with great detail. The family wears traditional Malagasy clothing and Joseph carries a straw hat. 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 wood is palisander, which is from the rosewood family. Palisander is very hard and contains a natural oil as found in rosewood. The scene measures 6.5 inches high.
This scene was purchased from a carver named Julien in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
This scene was purchased from a carver named Julien in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.