**Originally Listed At $300**

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden anthropomorphic figure, known as an ibeji, standing with thick, delineated legs atop an integral circular base. The figure boasts a slender chest flanked with massive arms, bent knees with a loincloth in-between, a straight back, and a triangular pectoral in the middle of the chest. An elongated neck supports an oblong head replete with cupped ears, an open mouth with puffy lips, drooping eyes with hammered metal pupils, and an elaborate conical coiffure which displays traces of natural indigo pigment. The attractiveness of this figure is only elevated by the lustrous deep-brown patina across all surfaces. Size: 4" W x 11.35" H (10.2 cm x 28.8 cm).

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection

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#139077

Base repaired in earlier times, but is still fragmented with several areas of loss. Fading to some finer details, minor nicks to base, legs, body, and head, with wear to some high-point areas, and fading to original indigo pigmentation. Light earthen deposits and fabulous brown patina throughout.