Doppia figura - Conchiglie, Legno, Perline - Ibeji - Yoruba - Nigeria

SPECTACULAR ERE IBEDJI FIGURE OWO - YORUBA NIGERIA

In a rather good state, be it with some insect damage, especially at the back of the head.

Provenance: Ex – collection of Ian Auld, London. Bought from him at his gallery in Camden Passage Antique Market in 1980 by P. Westerdijk.

Ere Ibedji are there to represent a pair of twins or deceased part of it so that they can be remembered, cared for, and fed by members of the family to protect them from harm, as twins are potentially dangerous, both while living and dead. They are easily offended and become resentful if not honored sufficiently. First, this task fell upon the mother, and after her death was taken over by siblings or other relatives. This beautiful old and well-patinated figure carved in hardwood stems from the city-state of Owo in the northeastern region of the Yorubaterritory of S.W. Nigeria. The arms and hands are stretched free of the body and the fingers are supported by studs to prevent them from breaking off and to give room for attaching ornaments like shells, beads, and metal rings. The face has the for Owo work typical shape and tattoo patterns, consisting of triple narrow ovals on both cheeks. Very strongly shortened legs on big, flat feet. Massive sex. A rare and fine “figure of twins “ as the term Ere Ibedji literally means.

Literature: Warren M. Robbins and Nancy Ingram Nooter: African Art in American Collections , Washington – London, 1989, p.229.

Dimensions : 28 x13 x 9 cm.

People / Region : see above.

Material: hardwood of the Funtumia elastica tree.

Weight: 585g