A pair of Ere Ibeji Figures
Abeokuta style, Egba region, Yoruba, Nigeria, Early 20th century
Provenance: Loed Van Bussel, Amsterdam. Julie Gusman, Brussels.
These wonderful Abeokuta styles Ibeji pair are both beautiful and elegant. The sculpture is very well balanced on both figures. The patina suggests years of ritual handling and bathes. Both figures are adorned with metal earrings, old trade beads and shells; evidence of the importance these Ibejis had when the original owner possessed them. Underneath the base of one of the figures the artist carved his stamp or signature. This pair may be in fact part of a quadruplet grouping. Recently published in the book Divine Twins, there is another nearly identical pair, very close in style; that have the same details, same beads and the same signature marking underneath the base.
A pair of Ere Ibeji Figures
Abeokuta style, Egba region, Yoruba, Nigeria, Early 20th century
Provenance: Loed Van Bussel, Amsterdam. Private collection, Brussels.
These wonderful Abeokuta styles Ibeji pair are both beautiful and elegant. The sculpture is very well balanced on both figures. The patina suggests years of ritual handling and bathes. Both figures are adorned with metal earrings, old trade beads and shells; evidence of the importance these Ibejis had when the original owner possessed them. Underneath the base of one of the figures the artist carved his stamp or signature. This pair may be in fact part of a quadruplet grouping. Recently published in the book Divine Twins, there is another nearly identical pair, very close in style; that have the same details, same beads and the same signature marking underneath the base.