Yoruba Ibeji Pair of Twin Figures Nigeria African Art

Description

Title
Yoruba Ibeji Pair of Twin Figures Nigeria African Art
Type of Object
Carving
Country of Origin
Nigeria
People
Yoruba
Materials
Wood, pigment, beads, camel bone, metal
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
11.75-12
Width (in)
5.5
Depth (in)
4-5
Other Dimensions
Height: 11.75-12 Inches
Width: 5.5 Inches
Depth: 4-5 Inches
Overall Condition
Fair to good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
Chips,cracks, encrustation on camel bones.
Additional Information:
These fine Yoruba Ibeji are carved in a unique style that emphasizes the interesting headdress indicating hair. Both have scarification and are decorated with colorful beads. They also are wearing camel bone pendants around their necks.
The Ere Ibeji will be fed, washed, clothed and treated as though it were alive and present. On special days such as the twin s birthdays, ere Ibeji cult days, mothers will at times go the market place and sing and dance with the Ere Ibeji. They would be honored by other women with presents and money given to them in recognition of their special status as a mother of twins. Ere Ibeji are also identified with the Yoruba Thunder God Shango who is known by red beads around the waist or ankles and often by the application of blue indigo to the hair. Ere Ibeji are carved as small children with adult attributes as to sex, breasts and hairstyles as a result they are fixed in time as children and as adults.
Further Readings:R. F. Thompson: Black Gods and Kings: Yoruba Art at UCLA, (Los Angeles, 1971) M. H. Houlberg: Ibeji Images of the Yoruba , African Arts, vii/1, 1973, pp. 20-27, 91-2 M. Stoll and G. Stoll: Ibeji: Twin Figures of the Yoruba, (Munich, 1980) Abiodun, A, H. J. Drewal and J. Pemberton III: Yoruba Art and Aesthetics, (Zurich,1991)
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