Male twin figure "ere ibeji" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Ila area · ID: 3036827

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Description

wood, brown patina, strong encrustations with “osun” in some places, traces of blue paint, islamic triangle “tirah” on breast and back, elongated narrow face with rubbed facial features, high coiffure (the surface removed by insect caused damage), cracks and minor missing parts in the mass spread on the figure;
during periodic rituals the figurines were bedecked with a layer of camwood powder (“osun”), originating from the “pterocarpus”, a madder-like tree. A spreadable paste was concocted by mixing the wood’s finely ground powder with palm oil. After the ritual the hardened layer was again removed. However, a residue of this paste nonetheless remained, and over the course of time a thick layer of this substance permanently caked the figure.

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Comparing literature

Claessens, Bruno, Ere ibeji, Dos and Bertie Winkel Collection, Brussels 2013, p. 42

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Publications

Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 301, ill. 201

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