Male twin figure "ere ibeji" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3038215

Description

wood, matt reddish brown patina, black and indigo blue paint at the coiffure, richly adorned with two strings of miniature glass beads and coconut shell discs around the hips, metal ring and abundant strings of cowrie shells, facial features extremely rubbed off through repeated feeding procedures, eyes with drilled pupils, the base carved with incised pattern;
cowry shells were once legal tender in West Africa. The adornment with cowries is an indication of the high regard paid to the deceased by his family, and of the wealth of the family as well.