A Nigerian female twin figure (ere ibeji) of the Yewa in a cowry cloak, Nigeria, 20th century A female figure made of wood standing frontally on a plinth with a beautiful glossy patina. Wrapped in a large cloak decorated all over with cowrie shells, the figure wears a blue glass bead necklace. Remnants of blue setting in the hair, typical scarification marks on the face. Slightly shrinkage cracked. Height 23 cm. In Nigeria, the country with the highest birth rate of twins, they are regarded as lucky charms or as a soul divided into two bodies. After the death of a sibling, the surviving twins receive such ere ibeji, in which half of the soul is supposed to live on. This specimen with a splendid coat symbolizes wealth - cowrie shells were long a national means of payment in Africa. Provenance: Acquired at Zemanek Münster, Tribal Art Auction 51 of September 22, 2007, lot no. 396. Condition: II