Description
Zwillingsfigur, "ere ibeji", Workshop of Bogunjooko Twin figure, "ere ibeji", workshop of Bogunjooko Yoruba (Igbomina), Nigeria, Osun State, Ila Orangun (town), Isedo District Ohne Sockel / without base Wood, glass beads, metal. H 31 cm. Provenance: - Walter Häusler, Tägerwilen. Acquired in Nigeria in the 1960s. - Hammer auction 48, 11.12.2019, lot 45. - 2019: François Mottas, Lausanne. Published: Van Doorn, Ron / Herbert M. Cole (2021): Akua'ba Asante. Wednesday Child, Dongen: Akuaron. Page 35, fig. 17 (center). Work by an unknown sculptor who was active in the second half of the 19th century and was also a master of the unmistakable style of the Bogunjooko school of sculpture (ca. 1800-70). ----------------------------------------------------- Twins have always been the subject of puzzles: deified or demonized, in legends and myths, even in astrology, we find the pairs as an expression of the fascination that emanates from them. This is also the case with the Yoruba people in south-western Nigeria, who have been proven to have the highest twin birth rate in the world. The Yoruba attribute special supernatural powers to twins. On the one hand, they bring luck, health and prosperity to the family and, on the other, they can ward off disaster, illness and death. For this reason, they enjoy special interest throughout their lives. For the Yoruba, twins have a common indivisible soul. If one of the twins dies, the balance of this unity is disturbed and the surviving twin is consequently endangered. To avoid this, a wooden figure, called ibeji, is consecrated in a ceremonial ritual as a symbolic substitute home for the soul of the deceased. The well-being of the second twin then depends on the care and veneration of this ibeji. At the same time, another figure is made to house the soul of the second twin. Once both twins have died, the figurines continue to be carefully guarded and kept as mementos until no one can remember the deceased. Further reading: Chemeche, George (2003). Ibeji. The Cult of Yoruba Twins. Milan: 5 Continents Editions. CHF 2 000 / 3 000 Weight in grams: 409 Condition: The condition (possible wear, signs of use, tears, possible other impairments and the signs of age etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. If you have any questions about this item, please do not hesitate to contact Hammer Auctions ([email protected]). The information regarding the condition of the items provided for the convenience of interested parties is an opinion only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the rare event that the item does not match the description in the catalog, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the lot for a full refund provided they notify Hammer Auctions within 5 days of receiving the lot.
60
Zwillingsfigur, "ere ibeji", Workshop of Bogunjooko
You may also like