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Lot No. 66

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Yoruba, Nigeria: A pair of ‘Ibeji’ twin figures, female and male. Style: Abeokuta. With carver’s marks.

Lot No. 66

Yoruba, Nigeria: A pair of ‘Ibeji’ twin figures, female and male. Style: Abeokuta. With carver’s marks.


Yoruba, Nigeria: A pair of ‘Ibeji’ twin figures, female and male. Style: Abeokuta. With carver’s marks. - Tribal Art

Twins are regarded as something special in the culture of the Yoruba people. They have their own god, ‘Ere Ibeji’ and are worshipped in rituals. Another peculiarity is that, among the Yoruba, twins are thought to share one and same soul. If a twin dies, a vicarious figure, called ‘Ibeji’, must be manufactured by a professional carver in order for the soul to be complete again. These figures are treated like living twins: they are washed, fed, adorned, sung to and honoured.
On the grounds of the style of their crested coiffure, the present pair of ‘Ibeji’ can be ascribed to the area near the town of Abeokuta. Carved from hard wood and coloured black and brown. The male ‘Ibeji’ wears an apron. Both feature typical tribal scarification marks on their forehead and cheeks, wear black disc chains on their neck and hips, and are adorned with two cowries in each hand. Carver’s marks are visible on the underside of the round base plate (crosses).
Both figures have good usage patina and no damage.
First half of the 20th century; H: each 28 cm. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

26.05.2015 - 15:00

Realized price: **
EUR 938.-
Estimate:
EUR 1,200.- to EUR 1,800.-

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Yoruba, Nigeria: A pair of ‘Ibeji’ twin figures, female and male. Style: Abeokuta. With carver’s marks.


Twins are regarded as something special in the culture of the Yoruba people. They have their own god, ‘Ere Ibeji’ and are worshipped in rituals. Another peculiarity is that, among the Yoruba, twins are thought to share one and same soul. If a twin dies, a vicarious figure, called ‘Ibeji’, must be manufactured by a professional carver in order for the soul to be complete again. These figures are treated like living twins: they are washed, fed, adorned, sung to and honoured.
On the grounds of the style of their crested coiffure, the present pair of ‘Ibeji’ can be ascribed to the area near the town of Abeokuta. Carved from hard wood and coloured black and brown. The male ‘Ibeji’ wears an apron. Both feature typical tribal scarification marks on their forehead and cheeks, wear black disc chains on their neck and hips, and are adorned with two cowries in each hand. Carver’s marks are visible on the underside of the round base plate (crosses).
Both figures have good usage patina and no damage.
First half of the 20th century; H: each 28 cm. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

Buyers hotline Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at
+43 1 515 60 200
Auction: Tribal Art
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 26.05.2015 - 15:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 20.05. - 26.05.2015


** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT

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