Male twin figure "ere ibeji" in cowrie shell cape

Description

wood, dark brown patina, encrusted camwood powder, elaborate carved head: pear-shaped with a broad nose and a “smiling” mouth, scarification marks on the cheeks, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (crested coiffure);
belonging to the so-called type of the “laughing”.
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.