This stunning flag of St. Patrick "ridding the snakes from Ireland" ( chromolithograph in the second image) is by deceased flag maker Joseph Oldof Pierre. St. Patrick is a Catholic Saint which is synonymous with the voodoo Lwa Damballah Wedo, the great cosmic serpent (from the Rada nation of spirits ) and his consort Ayda Wedo, creators of the world and the Gods. The flag measures 38" x 36" and is flawless in execution and condition. It has his signature saw tooth triangle border.
A flag of these dimensions and with the sizes of the sequins used has at least 18,000 + sequins and beads that had to be carefully sewn on the surface of the under fabric.
I met Oldof in 1986 by the side of the Museé d'Art Haitien in Port-au Prince. He had several flags he was selling. On subsequent trips to Haiti I acquired other flags by him. The last images shows the back of the flag which has a carefully sewn fabric sleeve so one can slide a wooden dowel inside it and then hang it on a wall for display. Also notice three places where a slight stain appears and thread has been used to mend the fabric. I can guarantee that no beads or sequins are missing.
This is from my personal collection that I am selling.
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Joseph Oldof Pierre was born 1955, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His father was a practitioner of Voodou and after being cured of a series of illnesses by his father's treatments, he decided to become a Houngan as well. Meanwhile Oldof actively began sewing voodoo flags in 1980 when his father passed away. Unfortunately his illness returned and Oldof passed away unexpectedly in 1994.