Brooklyn Museum: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Gravepost (Aloalo)

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Gravepost (Aloalo)

Aloalo are commemorative grave markers used by royal clans. These posts generally have a shaft decorated with geometric shapes supporting a figure that represents the deceased. In this case, a man holds a horn filled with medicine in his left hand and extends his right hand to anoint a kneeling woman in a healing ceremony.

Culture: Mahafaly
Medium: Wood, paint
Place Made: Ambovombe, Malagasy Republic
Dates: 20th century
Dimensions: 53 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (135.9 x 24.8 x 14 cm)
Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
Accession Number: 69.10
Credit Line: Carl H. de Silver Fund, Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund, and the Robert A. Levinson Fund
Image: Overall, 69.10_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007

Catalogue Description: Wood commerative post called aloala made of 3 pairs of crescents back to back alternating with 3 pairs of diamonds back to back. Post surmounted by platform on which are 2 kneeling figures. The larger figure (male) wears a hat and a short tunic and holds a horn in his left hand while his right hand is extended to touch the forehead of the woman kneeling in front of him (as if to annoint her). Separate two-tiered base.

Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Gravepost (Aloalo)