Grave Post in the Form of a Bird
Culture | Sakalava |
---|---|
Title | Grave Post in the Form of a Bird |
Date | 20th century |
Medium | Wood |
Dimensions | Overall: 27 7/8 x 7 in. (70.8 x 17.8 cm) |
Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
Accession Number | 80.16 |
This artwork is currently on view. |

A carved wooden post in the form of a bird. The bird has a thin neck and a long bill with a thick, rectangular base where its legs would be.
Occupying the western part of the island of Madagascar, the Sakalava traditionally bury their dead in box-like tombs surrounded by wooden fences. Carvings of male and female figures and birds, such as this one, are typically placed on the corners of these fences, with birds positioned to the northwest and southeast. Birds are believed to have a special connection between the living and the dead, and their custom of returning to the same roost at the end of the day is considered an example for the spirits of the deceased to follow in adjusting to their new “home” at the grave. Since the wooden figures are exposed to the elements, they deteriorate over time; on this bird, the weathering and splintering of the wood has created a surface that resembles a depiction of feathers, adding a new dimension to its appearance.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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"Grave Post in the Form of a Bird | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=80.16