A male twin sculpture, called ‘Ibeji’, of the Yoruba people, serving as a vicarious figure for a deceased twin (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 66).
Carved in brown, hard wood. In the typical style of the well-known dynasty of carvers, the Igbukes, from the city of Oyo. The towering hairstyle is dyed bluish black with ‘bluing’ and features a long braid at the back. This is exactly how the Yoruba depict the god ‘Eshu’ – with a braid. Clearly, the deceased twin had a close relationship with this god.
The present figure displays all the features of the especially detailed Igbuke style: a large, elongated head with large eyes and protruding lips, typical tribal scarification marks, wide shoulders, short legs and finely executed feet. Adorned with dark and light blue chains around the hips, cowries on their hands and a metal bangle. Remains of sacrificial offerings with powdered redwood are detectable in body cavities, on the feet as well as on the round plinth. With a very special feature: the ‘Eshu braid’!
A very finely executed, perfect piece of the highest quality! With old, shiny usage patina and only two small, age-related damaged areas (2 small cracks on the front of the body).
First half of the 20th century; H: 28.5 cm. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.