Two male twin figures "hohovi" · Benin, Eastern Ewe · ID: 3040952
Hans Reinmöller, Ratingen, Germany (a: 1989/b: 1990)
Description
wood, middle brown patina, a) figure with overlong arms, facial features strongly abraded, slightly dam., missing parts (left forearm, both foot tips); b) figure with extremely short legs, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (at the back of the base), both mounted on pedestal;
just like the “ibeji” figures of the Yoruba, the twin figures of the Ewe were carved for deceased twins.They serve as abode for the spirit of the deceased. Women used to care for them just like for living children, they were bathed and fed, had their own place at mealtimes got new clothes now and then.
The object Two male twin figures “hohovi” with the object ID 3040952 was last part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction at November 5, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 267 achieved a sales price of EUR 520.
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Comparing literature
Simonis, Henricus, Ewe, Twin figures, Cologne 2008, p. 123