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.
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.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
26.05.2015 - 15:00
- Prezzo realizzato: **
-
EUR 938,-
- Stima:
-
EUR 1.200,- a EUR 1.800,-
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.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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Hotline dell'acquirente
lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Asta: | Arte Tribale |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 26.05.2015 - 15:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 20.05. - 26.05.2015 |
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