Context (CMS Context)
(Bio) Lieutenant Samuel Pasfield Oliver, (Captain: 1871), Royal Artillery, visited Madagascar during 1861-2, and witnessed King Radama II’s coronation at Antananarivo (23 Sept 1861), and returned later in 1863 on HMS Rapid following the King’s presumed assassination, (12 May 1863).

Annual Report for 1893 notes that Captain S. Pasfield Oliver, late R.A., gave collection of "fifty-nine sketches and finished drawings in pencil, in;, and water colours, of prehistoric stone monuments, tumuli, and burial places, sketched by the donor in England, the Channel Islands, Brittany, Etruria, Sardinia, Greece, the Troad, Madagasgar, Japan and" as well as a number of books to the library". It is likely that the Madagascan material here accessioned as 2011.96-232 are part of this donation. Transfered from the Haddon library in a card folio in 2010. The Rova of Antananarivo, situated on the Analamanga hill, in the capital city of Antananarivo, is the royal palace complex. The Isonerana Palace, (earlier spelt Isoaierana), lies between Antananarivo and Ambohidzanahary hill.
Event Date 29/9/2011
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Pencil drawing and watercolour of a palace building. In the foreground are figures labelled (L-R): "Our Marmites", "Native Hova Chief", "The General", "Bishop of Mauritius", "Filanzan Native Palanquin" and "My own conveyance". Inscription on the left, referring to a background portion of the drawing: "on summit of hill is the execution ground of Ambohipotsy". On the right side: "Aviavy or native fig tree". Inscription reads: "Palace at Isonierana Augst 12th 1862", "S.P. Oliver". Pencil "26" inscribed at top of page. Inscription on reverse: "Antananarivo. Palace of Isonerana built by Radamas I".
Event Date 29/9/2011
Author: maa