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).

The Annual Report for 1893 notes that Captain S. Pasfield Oliver, late R.A., gave a 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 is part of this donation. Transferred 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.
'Maiyaika Miadana' is presumed to be a reference to 'Manjakamiadana', the Queen's Palace.
Event Date 12/10/2011
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Watercolour and pencil painting on paper, mounted on cardboard. Painting shows a white building with a white and red flag on top and on the left a pink-coloured building and another smaller pink coloured building, surrounded by a brown fence. Rows of figures stand dressed in red and white with black hats, and four figures in the foreground. Inscription: 'Anaty Rova. The Palace of the King', 'S.P. Oliver Lieut. R.A., A.D.C.'. Inscriptions below the painting: 'The Tombs of Radama I' written under the smaller building on the left, 'The Trano Vola or Silver Palace', written under the second building and 'Maiyaika Miadana The Great Palace' written under the large white building. On the back of the mount there is '140/0' and on the front '12' crossed out and replaced by '15'.
Event Date 12/10/2011
Author: maa