West Africa, Liberia or Sierra Leone, Mende people; Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luena (Lwena, also Lovale) people; Western Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A wonderful ensemble of four carved wood, standing, female figures; one from the Mende people, one from the Luena people, and two from the Yoruba people. Nude for all but a pleated skirt and an intricately incised, tripartite headdress, the Mende figure stands with both arms falling to the sides of her bulging belly and pointed breasts. Her minimalistic visage features a straight mouth, a flat nose, slanted eyes under an arched brow, and three vertical dashes of ceremonial scarification on each cheek. Next, the Luena figure stands atop a cylindrical plinth with a broad base and wears a flat-topped headdress as both hands are placed on her sex. Her sizable head presents coffee bean-shaped eyes, a petite nose, and full lips, all flanked by two tab-shaped ears. Size of largest: 2.375" W x 11.5" H (6 cm x 29.2 cm)

An incised necklace bearing a cross hangs between her pointed breasts. The two Yoruba figures, known as "ere ibeji" figures, stand on discoid pedestals with slender bodies, square shoulders, and long arms placed on their wide hips. The taller of the two exhibits sagging breasts and a convex naval as two strands of blue, yellow, red, orange, and green glass trade beads adorn her neck and waist. Her stylized visage shows huge, bulging eyes with incised pupils, a broad nose, and a naturalistic mouth, all beneath a tall headdress with straight and zigzagged incised lines. Embellished with cobalt blue pigment, the second Yoruba figure displays tapered breasts, incised genitalia, and a sizable head with heavy-lidded, almond-shaped, eyes, a triangular nose, a gentle smile, and ceremonial scarification along the cheeks. A giant headdress sits above her low-set ears.

Mende sculptures are modeled on the styles of real women in the culture, particularly the hair, with elaborate stylings that require assistance from other women to execute; this is a way to build female friendship and solidarity. Statues of women in Mende society have multiple uses, and they may be used in initiation ceremonies, as protective figures, or in the act of healing. They are made to be placed on a small altar, and sometimes will be sheltered from view.

The Yoruba have traditionally had a high rate of multiple births and have always valued twins as special. When one twin dies, a figure dedicated to Ibeji, - the deity of twins - is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of that twin. The figure is then nurtured by the mother and/or the surviving twin. The Yoruba have one of the highest number of twin births in the world, four times higher than in Europe, for example. Ibeji are known to the Yoruba as two people who share one soul. If one of the human twins dies, whether as a child or an adult, the surviving human twin is considered to have little hope of living with only half a soul. Further, the deceased's soul must have a place to reside. Hence, a figure dedicated to Ibeji is carved to shelter the spirit of the deceased twin.

Provenance: private Arcadia, California, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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#162090

Part of foot and base of Mende figure reattached. Feet and base of Yoruba figure with blue pigment reattached. Mende and Yoruba figures have expected surface wear with some stable fissures, minor nicks/chips, and abrasions, as shown. Chips to headdress of Luena figure. Otherwise, all are very nice with collection labels on their bases and light patina.