Online catalogue for the 63rd tribal art auction with special part 'wunderkammer'

310 Two female and a male twin figure "venavi"

This object is not available any more.

Togo, Ewe

wood, light brown patina, schematized, symmetrical arranged bodies, the two female figures wearing capes, feet and coiffure painted in black, interesting detail: a shoe of animal skin on the left foot of the smallest figure, slightly dam., paint rubbed off, acrylic bases; 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.

H: 18,5 cm, 21 cm, 23,5 cm, coll. in situ, 1978 (male one)
H: 7.3 inch, 8.3 inch, 9.3 inch, coll. in situ, 1978 (male one)

Provenance
Coll. Heinz Seeliger, Würzburg, Germany

Sold.

316 Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ede

wood, dark brown and reddish brown patina, black paint, traces of indigo blue, camwood powder "osun", strings of glass beads, a male and a female with voluminous bodies, the elongated heads crowned by high towering coiffures with grooves, angle-shaped scarification marks on the cheeks, pupils with nail heads, slightly dam., cracks, paint rubbed off

H: 30 cm, coll. in Ibadan
H: 11.8 inch, coll. in Ibadan

Provenance
Coll. Heinz Seeliger, Würzburg, Germany

Sold.

317 Female pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ilobu

wood, dark reddish brown patina, remains of indigo blue paint at the coiffure, encrusted with camwood powder "osun", strings of ancient glass beads, incised vertical and horizontal scarification marks on the cheeks, slightly dam., traces of insect caused damage (coiffure and left face half of the smaller figure, both bases), minor missing parts at the mouth of the bigger figure; the small missing parts in the mouth area possibly traces of symbolic feeding procedures.

H: 23,5 cm, resp. 24,5 cm
H: 9.3 inch, resp. 9.6 inch

Provenance
Coll. Heinz Seeliger, Würzburg, Germany

Sold.

318 Twin figure "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Abeokuta

wood, honey brown patina, string with ancient blue glass beads, rising from a square base, straight arms stiffly projecting from the body with the angle-shaped finger tips resting aside the thighs, crowned by an egg-shaped head with crested coiffure widely projecting to the back, lancet-shaped scarification marks, pierced pupils, slightly dam. (mouth, nose), traces of insect caused damage (backside at the coiffure), acrylic base

H: 24 cm
H: 9.4 inch

Provenance
Aloys Faust, Cologne, Germany (1961)
Coll. Heinz Seeliger, Würzburg, Germany

Sold.

319 Four twin figures "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba

wood, dark brown patina, pair of twin figures (male/female) in cowrie snail cape, heads with identical facial features and coiffure in six lobes, slightly dam., missing parts (coiffure of one figure), h: 30 cm, the endowment of figures with cowrie capes was determined to show the special appreciation towards the deceased and was an indicator of the families prosperity as well; male twin figure, Abeokuta, abundant decor with strings of glass beads, cowrie snails and brass rings, slightly dam. (nose, disc-shaped coiffure), h: 30cm; female twin figure, Gbongan-Modakeke, strings with ancient glass beads, incised scarification marks on the face, slightly dam. (nose, mouth, coiffure), paint rubbed off, h: 28 cm; 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 .

Provenance
coll. in Lome, Togo, 1973 (Abeokuta)
Marcel Lemaire, Brussels, Belgium, 1962 (Gbongan-Modakeke)
Coll. Heinz Seeliger, Würzburg, Germany

Sold.

346 Ibeji - Zwillingsfiguren der Yoruba

This object is not available any more.

Literatur: Afrika

2 spr. (dt./engl.), München 1980

Sold.

483 Twin figure "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Oshogbo

wood, reddish brown patina with traces of black paint, encrusted with camwood powder "osun", the eyes framed with eyelashes, nail heads as pupils, tribe typical scarification marks, slightly dam., minor missing parts (both ears), traces of insect caused damage (area of neck and back of the head)

H: 27,5 cm
H: 10.8 inch

Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 207 f.

Price: 800 - 1500 €

487 Female twin figure "ere ibeji"

This object is not available any more.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Abeokuta

wood, reddish brown patina, striking beautiful facial features and well-formed ears, an elaborate turban-like coiffure, slightly dam., minor missing parts (coiffure, nose, breast), cracks (right wrist, base), small traces of insect caused damage (underside of the base); as the Yoruba believe that twins have an inseparable soul, the moment one of the twins 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: 21 cm
H: 8.3 inch

Provenance
Galerie D' Eendt, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Sold.