Erzulie Freda by Eviland Lalanne

Large Erzulie Freda, the goddess of love, by the late master flag artist Eviland Lalanne (the colors are more vibrant in person)

Large Vodou Flag of Erzulie Freda

Beaded and Sequined tapestry on black satin backing with black satin trim.

Purchased directly from artist Eviland Lalanne in Haiti in 1995

Artist: the late master flag artist Eviland Lalanne

Notes: This is one of the last flags that Lalanne actually designed and sewed personally.

Spirit: Erzulie Freda is one aspect of Erzulie the goddess of love. See below for details on this magnificent spirit.

Details of the flag: The design and stitching is extremely detailed and intricate, using interesting bead and sequin combinations and stitching techniques including good use of pearl beads and complex stitching that creates raised images.

In this regal interpretation of Erzulie Freda her draping gold jewelry includes jeweled rings, bracelets, amulets, etc. Raised pearl beads outline heart on bottom left. Jeweled dagger handle, and intricate crown with raised pearl beads.

Surrounding her in this tapestry are several interpretations of the religious heart. Erzulie's elaborate and jeweled crown, featuring a heart in the center, includes straight golden beads as well gold sequins. The image of Erzulie is framed by a complex border of diamond and other shapes.

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.”

Erzuli Freda (Ezili in Creole)

Ezili Freda

“’Mistress’ Ezili Freda, goddess of love and luxury, is a flirtatious Creole woman who adores fine clothes, jewels, perfumes, and lace. The love she seeks is forever unrequited and causes her to weep. Ezili is manifest in the bejeweled Mater Dolorosa, her heart pierced with knives. Freda’s day is Thursday, her colors are white and pink, and her favorite perfume is Anaïs- Anaïs by Cacharel. Freda’s drinks must be sweet and are often made with orange syrup or grenadine. Food offerings might include rice cooked in cinnamon milk or bananas fried in sugar…” (From Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou edited by Donald J. Cosentino, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History)

Size: 35 1/2 x 29 inches

Price: $5,000

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