Female pair of twin figures "ere ibeji" · Nigeria, Yoruba, Igbomina · ID: 3048107
Walter Grasser, Munich, Germany
Description
wood, colour pigments, camwood powder, glass beads, coconut discs,
This pair belongs to a group of twin figures that stand out for their distinctive characteristics, i.e. their striking head shape and filed incisors.
In 1971, Thompson saw a similarity to works by a master called Dagikonle of Igbomole, who was active in the Ajasse area in the 1940s. However, this cannot be verified and was refuted in 1989 by William Fagg, who rather assumes an origin in the Ila area.
Ila Orangun, the capital of the Igbomina, along with - Abeokuta, Oshogbo and Ekiti - forms one of the most important centres of traditional Yoruba wood carving. Sculptures from this region are among the best that the Yoruba have produced in this field.
Comparing literature
Thompson, Robert Farris, Black Gods and Kings, Los Angeles 1971, Chapter 13/1, 75. LX70-12 Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, ill. 192 Chemeche, George, Ibeji, The Cult of Yoruba Twins, Milan 2003, p. 206 f.
Publications
AHDRC: 0106626