Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Igbomina · ID: 3036959

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, “osun”, remains of black/indigo blue paint, characteristic traits: extreme short legs akimbo, the nose very short likewise, a small pointed mouth projecting to the front, linear tribal marks on the cheeks and bulgy coiffure, adorned with necklaces of rod-shaped glass beads, one of the figures wearing strings of cowrie shells around each wrist, slightly dam., abrasion of paint;
the cowry shells are meant as money, to indicate the wealth of the family.

Comparing literature

Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 309, ill. 209