Ombiasy Madagascar

Ritual necklace of an Ombiasy fetish priest, composed of trade beads and wooden elements, and also featuring a large "felana" headpiece made of Conus betulinus shell, 8 centimeters in diameter, and an Italian coin dated around 1860.
Exceptional object.

Category
Tribal Art / Ethnography / Africa - Madagascar
An old, large ritual necklace attributed to an Ombiasy priest from Madagascar, composed of glass trade beads, carved or natural wooden elements, large translucent pale blue beads, a large circular white "Felana" coin as a pendant, and an ancient assemblage with a strong visual presence.

Description
A very beautiful piece of Malagasy tribal art, this ritual necklace features a particularly decorative and symbolic design.

It is composed of different categories of beads:
elongated white beads with blue decoration,
small red beads with white spots,
polychrome black beads,
large faceted reddish-brown beads,
translucent pale blue beads, and a top colorless bead.
The whole is punctuated by numerous wooden elements of varying shapes, some left almost raw, others carved or worn by time, which reinforces its ritual and ethnographic character.
The lower part features a large circular white pendant, resembling a turned disc, centered with a dark element, forming a very strong focal point.
The piece evokes the power or protection necklaces attributed to the ombiasy, healers and diviners of Madagascar.
An antique, decorative, and collectible piece, displaying a beautiful patina from use.
Materials: Glass, wood, organic or mineral material for the central disc, "Felana" shell.

Origin
Madagascar
Period
Late 19th - Early 20th Century
Dimensions Height 57 cm
Condition
Good antique condition.
Wear, irregularities, small marks, and patina consistent with age and ritual/ethnographic use. Antique mounting with possible tightening or readjustments over time.
Some rubbing to the beads,
natural wear to the wooden elements,
slight soiling or micro-impacts,
old thread.

Notes
Item sold as an ethnographic and collectible piece.
An attribution to the Ombiasy culture is suggested based on traditional collecting practices.

Keywords
Ombiasy necklace, Madagascar, tribal art, ritual necklace, trade beads, ethnography, fetish priest, talisman, amulet, antique necklace, tribal collection, African art, Malagasy art. <!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_260410_114049_790.sdocx-->

Ref: 3U8M53XU47