Fine / Early 20th C. African Ibeji Wood Male Twin

**Originally Listed At $500**

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden male figure known as an "ibeji" standing with attenuated legs atop an integral circular plinth. The man has a slightly distended abdomen, holds both curving arms below his hips, and has rounded shoulders which taper inward to a slender neck. The characteristically elongated head boasts raised almond-shaped eyes (one still with a metal pupil), a pronounced nose above pursed lips, a broad forehead, and several scarification marks on the forehead and cheeks. The magnificent coiffure displays a lobed style with striated locks and a strand of red, white, and blue glass seed beads along with a large tubular red glass bead adorns his hand. Nice red cinnabar is rubbed on areas of the surface and the wood in general presents a lustrous age patina. Size: 11.25" H (28.6 cm)

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California USA Collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#145792
Condition Report: Left metal eye missing. Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Marvelous lustrous patina. Nice traces of red cinnabar on figure and base. Old labels on underside of base.