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• Auction House:
  Theodore Bruce
• Sale Name:
  Timed Online Auction | The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Asian Art | Day I
• Sale Date:
  08 Aug 2022 ~ 6pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  9073
• Lot Description:
  A Collection of Nineteen Antique Yoruba Ibeji Figures, Nigeria, West Africa
  The Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa have one of the highest birth rates of twins in the world, with 45 of every 1,000 children born a twin, but also have a high mortality rate. In Yoruba culture, twins are considered to possess special powers: they are believed to be one soul, and must be cared for accordingly. If a twin dies in infancy, the family have a wooden figure carved to represent the dead twin. These carved figures are called Ere Ibeji. The family look after this figure as if it were alive: feeding, bathing, clothing, carrying it like a baby, and performing rituals on significant occasions, to ensure the balance of the shared soul. Many of these figures show evidence of the years of attention and care they have been given; their facial features worn smooth with the handling they have received. Yoruba carving has a number of characteristics including the shape of head and elaborate conical hairstyle which represent ideals of Yoruba beauty. These distinctive small standing figures are carved to portray the twin in adult form, and the sculptures may be dyed, or decorated with shells, glass beads and metal to enhance their status. The elaborate style and beauty of the carvings are influenced by the powerful artistic and cultural traditions of the Kingdom of Benin, which flourished in southwest Nigeria between the 13th and 19th centuries.
  H 20-25 cm
• Provenance:
  Todd Barlin Collection & One from the Allen D. Christensen Collection USA & Australia Coll No CC40117; The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art
• Notes:
  Christensen was one of the great collectors African & Oceanic Art & his collection is featured in many of the best museums around the world.
• Estimate:
  A$800 - 1,200
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Tribal

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.