LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June African & Oceanic Art Auction #645  / 

48122

Yoruba (Nigeria), Ekiti region, Male and Female

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Ethnographic Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:3,600.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Yoruba (Nigeria), Ekiti region, Male and Female
<B>Yoruba (Nigeria), Ekiti region</B></I><BR>Male and Female Twin Figures, <I>ere ibeji</B></I><BR>Wood, camwood powder, indigo pigment<BR>Height: 11 ¼ inches Width:3 ½ inches Depth: 3 ¼ inches<BR><BR>Frontally posed standing figures, the pair has greatly enlarged heads, long arms hanging to the sides and attached to the hips, with short legs and sandaled feet, the sandals serving as bases. The striated hairstyles are formed as a front-to-back crest. Large triangular amulets on the figures' chests, with their cords around the figures' necks, are carved integrally. Primary and secondary sex organs are prominently shown. Other than a few aging cracks and minor abrasions, the condition is very good.<BR><BR>Twin figures were carved on the death of one or both twins to house their souls, and to serve in their household as surrogates, to be fed, clothed, bathed, rubbed, and cared for by the surviving twin or another member of the family. Twins were thus sacred and revered, whether in life or death, and they were considered a blessing to the family, while their mother was encouraged to beg, probably because of the hardship brought to the family by the birth of twins.<BR><BR> Provenance: Thomas D. Slater, Indianapolis<BR><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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