Description:

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba culture, ca. mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure, known as an Ibeji, representative of a twin, standing on an integral pedestal, with a skirt around the waist. The stylized head has a crested coiffure painted in a black hue, and scarification marks on the cheeks. 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: 3.5" L x 2.5" W x 9" H (8.9 cm x 6.4 cm x 22.9 cm)

Provenance: private Wilmington, North Carolina, USA collection

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#174446

  • Condition: Chip and scorch mark on base and a few nicks to high pointed areas, otherwise intact and very good. Smooth patina throughout.

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April 20, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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