Male and female twin figure "ere ibeji" in beaded cape "ewu ileke" and hat ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Igbomina, Ila Orangun · ID: 3041519

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, encrustations with camwood powder “osun”, indigo blue pigment, prominent high towering coiffures, eyes arranged lateral and carved with lashes on the upper rim, short noses and pointed mouth, islamic triangle “tirah” on breast and back, slightly dam., cracks;
capes made from indigo blue cotton cloth, embroidered with colourful miniature glass beads with identical patterns, the endless motiv of interwined bands can be found on the hats as well, the latter crowned by small birds;
“ibeji” statuettes are memorial figures for deceased twins. They were cared for just as the surviving child, including dressing it with an appropriate garment, “ewu”, in the hope that the dead child will return again in another birth to remain in the home. The interlace pattern on the beaded gown may connote to this idea of the unending cycle of birth-life-departure and possible return/reincarnation.

Comparing literature

Polo, Fausto, Enzyklopädie der Ibeji, 2008, ill. 538 Fagg, William, Yoruba beadwork, New York 1980, p. 58