Online catalogue for the 65th tribal art auction
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202 Female twin figure "venavi"
This object is not available any more.
Ghana, Ewe
wood, shiny brown patina, remains of indigo blue pigment, necklace with miniature glass beads, min. dam., fissures, on base; 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: 21,5 cm
H: 8.5 inch
Provenance
Galerie Inge Hett, Berlin, Germany
Sold.
257 Female pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Egbe (Illorin)/Kwara State
wood, reddish brown shiny patina, matt black patina and encrustations with clay and "osun" (camwood powder) in some areas, 5 strings with miniature glass beads, eyes with inlay (one pupil missing), nearly identical formed, slightly dam., minor missing parts; the high crown-like coiffures and hands folded over the abdomen are the distinct characteristics of this "ibeji" type. Long years of use in the cult have rendered the facial contours of these figures barely recognizable.
H: 30 cm
H: 11.8 inch
Provenance
Karl-Heinz Krieg, Neuenkirchen, Germany
Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 279
Sold.
258 Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji" with beaded gown "ewu ileke"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Kwara State
wood, dark brown patina, encrusted with camwood powder "osun", metal tags, string of glass beads, the coate embroidered with the mask face of "eshu", slightly dam., crack, one metal tag missing, the fabric scraggy in parts; "ibeji" figures were carved in remembrance of a deceased twin and it was cared for them just like for the surviving child. Sometimes they were supplied with such noble vests called "ewu", in the hope hat the spirit of the dead child will return again in another birth to remain in the home.
H: 28 cm
H: 11 inch
Provenance
Galerie Inge Hett, Berlin, Germany
Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 270
Sold.
259 Male twin figure "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ibadan
wood, beautiful reddish brown patina, camwood powder "osun", well-balanced round forms, noble facial features with beautiful profile and a strong chin, delicate carved details, abundant decor with strings of coconut discs and miniature glass beads, slightly dam., cracks, metal tags missing
H: 23 cm, coll. in situ, 1963 -1973
H: 9.1 inch, coll. in situ, 1963 -1973
Sold.
260 Pair of male twin figures "ere ibeji"
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ede
wood, reddish brown patina, black paint at the three-parted crested coiffure, encrusted with camwood powder "osun", nail heads as eyes, slightly dam., paint rubbed off; the most prominent characteristic of the "Ede ibeji" is the "pinched" face.
H: 25 cm
H: 9.8 inch
Price: 900 - 1800 €
261 Male twin figure "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Oshogbo
wood, spotted brown patina, string of glass beads, large eyes framed by eye lashes, drilled pupils (metal tags missing), incised scarification marks on the cheeks, slightly dam.; Ibeji from the Oshogbo area show the typical Yoruba style, they are lovely, round and well-proportioned.
H: 25,5 cm
H: 10 inch
Provenance
Stefan Herkenhoff, Osnabrück, Germany
Sold.
262 Pair fo twin figures "ere ibeji"
Nigeria, Yoruba
wood, reddish brown patina, traces of black paint at the coiffure, the bodies encrusted with camwood powder, the eyes inset with metal tags (in each case one missing), strings with dark red glass beads around the hips, metal rings, abraded facial features, slightly dam., cracks (base), paint rubbed off
H: 26,5 und 27 cm
H: 26,5 und 10.6 inch
Price: 1000 - 2000 €
263 Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji" in miniature size
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ogbomosho
wood, middle brown patina, male/female, the eyes inset with metal tags, angular skin scarification marks on the cheeks, crested coiffures, slightly dam., missing part (left breast of the female figure)
H: 9,5 cm
H: 3.7 inch
Literature
Stoll, Gert, Ibeji, Zwillingfiguren der Yoruba, München 1980, p. 239
Price: 1000 - 2000 €
264 Female twin figure "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Igbomina
wood, dark brown patina, string of glass beads, high towering coiffure with remains of indigo blue paint, the body encrusted with a clay-like mass of camwood powder, large eyes without metal tags, slightly dam., crack (base), mass missing in parts; for the Yoruba the birth of twins promised wealth and prosperity, which is symbolized by the attached strings of cowrie snails.
H: 29,5 cm, coll. in situ, 1963 -1973
H: 11.6 inch, coll. in situ, 1963 -1973
Price: 900 - 1800 €
265 Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Area of Ijebu
wood, slightly shiny reddish brown patina and encrustations with camwood powder on the body, heads with saturated blackish brown patina, partly encrusted, necklaces, individual coiffures, lowered lids with drilled pupils (metal tags missing), slightly dam., facial features strongly abraded, minor missing parts at the same place; presumably a work of Thomas Ona Odulate, Ijebu-Ode.
H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch
Provenance
Michael Oliver, New York, USA
Craig de Lora, New Jersey, USA
Frederick Hanley, Great Britain
Price: 1000 - 2000 €
266 Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba
wood, reddish brown patina, camwood powder "osun", strings with miniature glass beads, coconut discs and nassa snails, the pupils inset with metal tags, incised scarification marks, fez-like headdress with vertical grooves and small remains of indigo blue paint, slightly dam., insect caused damage (back of the female figure)
H: 31 cm resp. 32,5 cm
H: 12.2 inch resp. 12.8 inch
Provenance
Coll. Michael Neele, Rome, Italy
Sold.
267 Pair of twin figures "ere ibeji"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Yoruba, Oyo, Shaki area
wood, dark brown and reddish brown patina, encrusted with camwood powder, well-formed bodies, elaborate details (coiffure), delicate carved, metal tags in the eye zone removed, incised scarification marks, richly decorated (7 strings with old glass beads/resp. coconut discs, two pairs of metal rings with incised ornaments), long years of use in the cult have rendered the facial contours of these figures barely recognizable, min. dam., paint rubbed off; as the Yoruba believe that twins have a combined, 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: 24 cm
H: 9.4 inch
Provenance
Manfred Schäfer, Ulm, Germany
Literature
Chemeche, George, Ibeji, The Cult of Yoruba Twins, Mailand 2003, ill. 17
Sold.
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