**Originally Listed At $200**

West Africa, Yoruba culture, ca. early 20th century. A hand-carved wood figure, known as an Ibeji, representing a deceased male twin. The figure has a tall, bee-hive like coiffure, large eyes and facial features, and a simple body with short legs. Remains of an earthy red pigment are found on the body, especially around the lower arms and feet. Size: 3.25" W x 10.25" H (8.3 cm x 26 cm)

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. When a twin dies, a figure dedicated to Ibeji, the deity of twins, is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of that twin. Wooden figures, like this one, are created to keep the souls of the twins together.

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#121090

Cracks to wood as shown. Loss to back of base. Small areas of pigment remaining.