Lot 132
West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A male Ere Ibeji figure, standing at attention with arms at sides, hand carved to represent the male member of a pair of deceased twins, with a wide-eyed expressive visage, adorned with incised markings on the face representing scarification, beautiful indigo blue pigment on the elaborately delineated coiffure, and red pigment on the body. Size: 11.625" H (29.5 cm)
According to the Yoruba, twin effigies are believed to influence the daily lives of family members. As such, they are traditionally honored with prayers and libations. The Yoruba have one of the highest number of twin births in the world, four times higher than in Europe, for example. Ibeji are known to the Yoruba as two people who share one soul. If one of the human twins dies, whether as a child or an adult, the surviving human twin is considered to have little hope of living with only half a soul. Further, the deceased's soul must have a place to reside. This example boasts a darkened, worn, and smooth surface which conveys the devotion and respect to the Ibeji spirit. "Ultimately, the surface of an Ibeji measures the object's spiritual value to the caregiver. The response of the Yoruba mothers and caregivers is primarily personal and spiritual, not aesthetic. Even an Ibeji carved by a mediocre artisan can develop a surface reflecting great efficacy to the believer. The wood is worked, fed, oiled, and clothed not so much to fulfill an aesthetic ideal but to fulfill a human need "....taken from 'Ibeji Surface Analysis' by Charles Bordogna, in 'Surfaces' ed. Kahan, Page, Imperato, 2009 by Indiana Univ. Press. In summary, the Yoruba have traditionally had a high rate of multiple births and have always valued twins as special. When a twin dies, a figure dedicated to Ibeji, the deity of twins, is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of that twin. The figure is then nurtured by the mother and/or surviving twin.
Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.
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#120087
- Condition: Expected surface wear with stable age cracks and nice lustrous patina. Missing metal eyes.
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