1 1

Maxxon Scylla 31"x36" Saint Jacques Le Majeur Haitian Sequined and Beaded Voodoo Flag on Satin, 2017 #1MFN

Maxxon Scylla 31"x36" Saint Jacques Le Majeur Haitian Sequined and Beaded Voodoo Flag on Satin, 2017 #1MFN

$0.00
$0.00
Sale Sold out

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

This is a Haitian voodoo flag individually sewn by hand in thousand of glimmering sequins and beads on satin. It is a 31"x39" banner that represents "Saint Jacques Le Majeur" in vodoo loa. Its shimmering and glistening beauty is not quite captured by the picture. Ogoun is identified with St. Jacques, the warrior general, and is often in the guise of a revolutionary war general. He likes cigars and rum. He has a passion for fire and likes the women. He's the spirit of fire and water. His favorite tree is the mango tree. His favorite day is Wednesday. A "drapo" Vodou is a handmade flag, typically embroidered and decorated with beads and sequins. Although flags may have been made in West Africa before the arrival of Europeans, the flags widely used there by 1600 were derived from European flags. They were used as symbols of ethnic, military or religious allegiance. The drapo Vodou also drew on Yoruba beadwork, Catholic vestments and Masonic aprons. In the 19th century and early 20th century most drapo Vodou were made from one or two colored fabric pieces decorated with embroidery, metal bangles and glass beads, with an image of the lwa made of shiny fabrics appliquéd to the cloth using techniques still followed in West Africa. Flags and banners used in the 21st century in rural areas often still have stylistically simple designs, in part due to the high cost of decorative material. With the older flags the background field that frames the image was usually decorated with widely spaced sequins or beads. Modern flag makers often completely cover the fabric of the field with sparkling sequins of one color, or with intricate geometrical patterns. Borders, which were either simple or did not exist on early drapo Vodou, have evolved into highly elaborate patterns. Nowadays, ateliers are dedicated to this art craft have opened creating a vibrant market for the flags. Thousands of glimmering sequins are individually sewn by hand making this a tedious and fine task.

About this artist

Maxxon Scylla
View full details