West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A great set of two matching ere ibeji twin figures - one male and one female - carved from wood and standing nude atop integral annular plinths. Each figure presents with hands draped down to their thighs, bangle-adorned wrists, ritual scarification marks incised across their abdomens, and powerful shoulders. Their enlarged heads are raised with iron studs set in their eyes, scarification grooves across their cheeks, slender noses beneath furrowed brows, parted lips, and cupped ears, all beneath crested coiffures with incised striations and applied blue pigment. Covered in smooth patina, this is a fine pair of wooden figures from the Yoruba! Size of largest (male): 3.625" W x 10.875" H (9.2 cm x 27.6 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Mathews collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#167502

Female figure has several stable hairline fissures across obverse as well as larger fissures along spine and left side of head. Male figure has several stable hairline fissures across obverse as well as along right side of head. Both figures have heavy earthen deposits, softening to some finer details, light encrustations, and minor fading to blue pigment, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation to blue pigment on coiffure, and nice patina throughout. Old collection labels beneath base of each figure.