Erzulie Danthor - Goddess of Love by the late Master Flag Artist Eviland Lalanne

Erzulie Dantor, the goddess of love, by the late master flag artist, Eviland LaLanne

One of the last flags truly designed and sewn by Lalanne

Look at the richness in detail in all aspects of this tapestry to appreciate this Russian icon-esque Haitian flag. Raised pearl beads circle as halos adorning both crowns. Raised beads also outline the draping fabric framing Madonna's face.

Erzilie Danto

Purchased in Haiti in 2000

Spirit: "Ezili Dantò is the grand matriarchal figure within the Vodou pantheon. She is a hardworking mother, raising her child single-handedly. Fiercely independent with a stormy disposition, she would fight to the death to protect her offspring. Although she only has a single child herself, she is considered to be the spiritual mother of everyone…Ezili Dantò’s Catholic counterpart is the Madonna with child. The favored Madonna is Our Lady of Czestochowa, the black Madonna from Poland [which also has scratches on the face]. This image was brought to Haiti by the Polish legions sent to fight for Napoleon. The Polish ranks, sickened by the war against the slaves, mutinied and continued fighting on the side of the black slaves…” (From The Book of Vodou, Charms and Rituals to Empower Your Life by Leah Gordon)

On the artist: In describing the works of Eviland Lalanne, Tina Girouard wrote in Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou edited by Donald J. Cosentino, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History in 1995 that

“Lalanne’s sequined creations appear to be glazed over, muted like the artist himself. In place of the traditional bright round beads, he uses clear long thin tube beads up to a quarter of an inch in length across the entire surface of his works. They do not lie flat, instead sticking out at all angles, in any direction. The light reflected off of this multi-faceted glass surface can obscure the imagery underneath. The effect is odd, as if looking through a layer of hoarfrost to discover the intricate images and vibrant hues beneath.”

Size: 23 1/2 x 19 inches

Price: $2,000

If you would like to see this flag in person or wish to receive photo of the details, please contact us at altchance@aol.com or at 212-613-6033. Thank you

We accept paypal and major credit cards. For info and to purchase, contact altchance@aol.com or call 212-613-6033