Yoruba Ibeji Pair of Twin Figures Nigeria African Art

Description

Title
Yoruba Ibeji Pair of Twin Figures Nigeria African Art
Other Names
Mosaic beads
Materials
Wood, pigment
Made In
Venice
Traded In
Africa
Approximate Age
second half 20th century
Overall Condition
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
crack on female
People
Yoruba
Object Size
3 inches drop. See picture with penny for size comparison.
Additional Information:
These fine Yoruba ere Ibeji are carved in a unique style that emphasizes the interesting headdress indicating hair on the females. Also their feet and set separately rather than both on a rounded base. Both have scarification on the cheeks.
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)
I have examined this piece and agree with the description.
Niangi Batulukisi, PhD.
**128517**
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