Male twin figure "ere ibeji" in cowrie shell coat ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Ilorin, Egbe · ID: 3036965

Description

wood, brown patina, black paint and indigo blue pigment at the coiffure, “osun”, two metal bracelets, characteristic traits: hands folded over the belly, high crown-shaped coiffure and tribal marks on forehead and cheeks, stiff coat of cotton fabric embroidered with cowrie shells, lozenge leather amulets on breast and back, slightly dam., missing parts (penis), long years of use in the cult have rendered the facial features barely recognizable, traces of old age/dust (cowries);
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.