African tribal art - Statue Sakalava Madagascar

Ex Belgian private collection.

Elegant Sakalava ancestor statue from Madagascar. This female figure is depicted in the nude, with her arms clasped along her rectilinear torso. The relief of the face has been altered by the elements. Wind, salt and sand have left their mark and cracked these figures, giving the wood its characteristic dryness, resulting in an exceptional matte patina. Plinth piece.

The most famous artistic works of the Malagasy are linked to funeral rituals, particularly through statuary. Mahafaly statues were often integrated into aloalo pillars, and fragments of panels were placed above their heads to testify to this. Strikingly, round sculptures of Sakalava ancestors often depicted the deceased and his or her opposite-sex companion.
The location of these statues was of great significance. In the northeast of the tomb, considered a sacred place associated with dawn, resurrection and the ideal moment for circumcision, the Malagasy placed the statue of the deceased. On the other hand, to the south-west of the tomb, they placed the image of his or her partner of the opposite sex, symbolizing an ideal union.

The collection of tribal art comes from Guy Mercier, a consultant for the Solvay group, who began collecting in the early 20th century. While working in West and Central Africa, he acquired works on the spot. However, the bulk of his collection came from the "cabinets of curiosity" that were popular in European capitals during the 1920s. In addition, he acquired pieces from prestigious galleries in Paris, Brussels, London and New York. This collection was then entrusted to Monsieur Jean Charles Mercier, Guy Mercier's grandson.