79
island in 1643 in an effort to maintain a presence
there (which, like those of the English and the Dutch,
would meet with failure), he wrote the first text on
the history, fauna, flora, and customs of Madagascar.
This was published in 1658 and in it he describes the
inhabitants, their clothing, and the many ornaments
and beads worn by both men and women. Other
contemporary authors noted the profusion of jewels
and decorations sported by the royals during the time
when the island was being divided up into various
kingdoms. The literature of the time made no mention
of art per se, and the island is mainly described as
dangerous, its waters infested with pirates, its shores
rife with fatal fevers that afflict the Europeans who
dare to land, and the whole defended by fierce Madagascan
warriors.
It was not until the beginning of the nineteenth century
during the reign of Radama I (1793–1828) and
with an increasing European presence on the island
FIG. 1 (far left): Funerary
post. Antanosy, Bara,
Madagascar. Before 1898.
Wood, bovine skulls, metal, beads.
H: 306 cm.
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques
Chirac, inv. 71.1901.6.11.
Photo: Thierry Ollivier, Michel Urtado.
FIGS. 2a and b (left and
right): Funerary post.
Sakalava, Madagascar. Early
17th–late 18th century.
Wood. H: 215 cm.
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques
Chirac, inv. 71.1901.6.12.
Photo: Claude Germain.
FIG. 3 (below): Funerary
post. Bara, Madagascar.
Before 1906.
Wood. H: 283 cm.
© Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques
Chirac, inv. 71.1906.21.21.
Photo: Claude Germain.