Description:

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure, known as an Ibeji, representative of a twin; standing on an integral pedestal with shell bead adornments. The stylized man is nude, and the head has a crested coiffure and thin, vertical lines near the ears as scarification marks. The Yoruba have one of the highest numbers of twin births in the world, four times higher than in Europe, for example. The Yoruba believe that twins are two people who share one soul, if one dies, whether as a child or an adult, the surviving twin is considered to have little hope of living with only half a soul. A figure dedicated to the deity of twins is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of the deceased. Size: 2.75" Diameter x 9.5" H (7 cm x 24.1 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Woolley and Wallace, England

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#182128

  • Condition: Old inactive insect holes on base and feet, with old losses and chips to base. Stable pressure fissures on body and chips. Lustruous and smooth patina.

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November 9, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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