Online catalogue for the 62nd tribal art auction

329 Twin figures "venavi"

This object is not available any more.

Ghana, Ewe

light brown wood, blackened in parts, strings of glass beads, six pieces, a female pair of figures, four single figures of different sizes, min. dam., small missing parts, traces of insect caused damage, slight traces of abrasion; alike the "ibeji" figures of the Yoruba, the "venavi" figures were carved for deceased twins or triplets. They serve as abode for the spirit of the deceased. The Ewe women used to care for them, they were feeded, washed and caressed. For the Ewe venerate twins and look upon them as connection to the otherworld. Just damaged dolls could be attained by collectors and buyers. In this case a replacement is made at once, in order to provide the soul with a new abode.

H: 15 cm - 20 cm
H: 5.9 inch - 7.9 inch

Provenance
Peter Loebarth, Hameln, Germany

Sold.

387 Male pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ibadan

wood, reddish brown patina, traces of black paint, encrusted with clay, strings of glass beads and cowrie snails, breast and back carved with the islamic triangle, characterized by big heads with accentuated cut facial features and high towering crested coiffures, slightly dam.; as the Yoruba believe that twins have a combined, inseparable soul, the moment one of the twin dies, the life of the other is immediately imperiled, because the balance of his soul is seriously disturbed. Therefore an artisan is ordered to carve a small wooden figure to serve as new abode for the soul of the deceased. The "babalawo" performs the traditional ritual of transferring the soul into the wooden figure. They are called "ere ibeji". The Yoruba word "ibeji" means "twin", "ere" = "sacred image".

H: 31 cm
H: 12.2 inch

Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, ill. 72

Sold.

388 Male twin figure "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ila/Igbomina

wood, reddish brown patina, black paint and remains of indigo blue pigment at the coiffure, encrusted with camwood powder ("osun"), strings of miniature glass beads and cowrie snails attached, nail heads as pupils, the arms with sloping shoulders arranged in flat bows, the palms of the hands resting aside the thighs, tribe typical scarification marks, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (right shoulder, sandals backside); the figures bare the name of the deceased. The small bead necklaces are presents for the "substitute twin". For the Yoruba the birth of twins promised wealth and prosperity, which is symbolized by the attached strings of cowrie snails .

H: 30,5 cm
H: 12 inch

Sold.

389 Male twin figure "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Iseyin

wood, reddish brown patina, encrustations with camwood powder, indigo blue paint, strings of glass beads, pupils with metal tags, incised scarification marks on breast and face, cap-like coiffure with fine notched ornaments, as a striking detail the heels are lifted from the ground, slightly dam., paint rubbed off

H: 26 cm
H: 10.2 inch

Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 181 f.

Sold.

390 Male twin figure "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Egbe

wood, reddish brown patina, strong encrustations with camwood powder "osun", black paint and traces of indigo blue pigment at the coiffure, strings of glass beads, metal rings, pupils with inlay of dark wood, the high crown-like coiffure and hands folded over the abdomen are the distinct characteristics of this "ibeji" type, incised scarification marks on the face, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage; Egbe is located in today's Kwara State, in the northern part of Yorubaland.

H: 27,5 cm
H: 10.8 inch

Provenance
Galerie Schwarz-Weiß, Essen, Germany (1973)
Private Collection, Munich, Germany

Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 279

Sold.