Male twin figure "ere ibeji" in cowrie snail cape ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Oyo · ID: 3032372

Description

wood, brown patina, encrusted with camwood powder, remains of indigo blue paint at the coiffure, metal tag eyes, angular scarification marks, a coat made of several layers of cotton fabric, in dense rows embroidered with cowrie snails, slightly dam.;
the lovely cowrie coat indicates that this “ibeji” must have belonged to a wealthy family which could afford this expensive article of clothing. Cowrie snails in former times represented a mean of payment all over africa. In this case they are also a symbol for wealth, which is for the Yoruba people combined with twins.

Comparing literature

Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, ill. 59