Western Africa, Togo, Ewe people, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A fine trio of hand-carved wooden figures representing two nude men and a woman. Each is similarly shaped with delineated legs standing on integral platforms, and arms hanging to the sides. The largest man has a tall neck with a rounded head and stylized features. The female figure has protruding cylindrical breasts and broad shoulders; her visage presents with bulging eyes and an elaborate coiffure. A strand of colorful seed beads is wrapped around her waist, and may have been added at a later time. The last is a small male figure with thick arms, and a bulbous head with large semicircular eyes. Dolls like these examples are called "venovi" or "venavi" and the Ewe have traditionally carved such figures for protection following the death of a twin. Ewe women care for such dolls by cleaning and 'feeding' them, and at times even using such dolls as a replacement child. The wood of all three has developed a smooth patina, perhaps resulting from a loving mother's touch. Size (largest man): 3.5" W x 7.25" H (8.9 cm x 18.4 cm); (smallest): 3" W x 6.5" H (7.6 cm x 16.5 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-collection of Dr. Edward A. Spiegel (1931-2020) professor of astronomy at New York University and Columbia University who worked on convection theory and on the application of fluid dynamics to astrophysics and was the first to discover Chaos Theory. As a professor, students enjoyed his accounts of his meetings with other famous scientists such as Paul Dirac and Stephen Hawking.

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#161313

Woman is repaired with both arms reattached at shoulders. There is some visible adhesive residue and loss to base. Stable fissure to back side of largest man, abrasions to back of head, and scratches and nicks to body. Smallest man has losses to base and a stable fissure that radiates from front side of torso to back side, and abrasions to high pointed areas. All have a nice patina.