**Originally Listed At $150**

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early 20th century. A female "Ere Ibeji" figure standing with both arms at her sides upon an integral round base. She presents with large, projecting breasts, rounded shoulders, an elongated face delineated with full lips, a flat triangular nose, large almond-shaped eyes, curvilinear ears, linear scarification marks on her cheeks, and a triangular head with no hair to speak of. A very good example with traces of cinnabar throughout the body and vibrant blue pigment across parts of face, ears, and head. Size: 3" L x 3.375" W x 8.5" H (7.6 cm x 8.6 cm x 21.6 cm).

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: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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#126028

Age cracks to head, breasts, back, and neck, with minor losses to base and surface wear throughout commensurate with age.