Ere ibeji figure

Museum number:
5-15924
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21050015924
Alternate number:
244 (original number)
Accession number:
Acc.4677
Description:
Carving, ibeji. Standing female on base (most of which is missing). Arms at sides with negative space between arms and torso. Fingertips attached to thighs. Left breast missing, base and front of feet missing at ankles. Thick legs, layered zig-zag pattern representing pubic triangle. A bit of a pot belly, with low belly button. Very thick and flat lips and nose. Face is heavily worn. Hairdo is swept up to the crown of the head with 2 rows of 3 embeliishments inserted into coiffure. Vertical incised lines on hair. Ears are somewhat naturalistic in placement. No scarification. Buttocks are very small.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Abeokuta, Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
W. Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba; Abeokuta
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works) and Ere ibeji
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Accession date:
December 15, 1995
Context of use:
Traditionally carved on the death of a twin or twins.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
height 23 centimeters
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 3 titled Ere ibeji figure, accession number 5-15924, described as Carving, ibeji. Standing female on base (most of which is missing). Arms at sides with negative space between arms and torso. Fingertips attached to thighs. Left breast missing, base and front of feet missing at ankles. Thick legs, layered zig-zag pattern representing pubic triangle. A bit of a pot belly, with low belly button. Very thick and flat lips and nose. Face is heavily worn. Hairdo is swept up to the crown of the head with 2 rows of 3 embeliishments inserted into coiffure. Vertical incised lines on hair. Ears are somewhat naturalistic in placement. No scarification. Buttocks are very small.Hearst Museum object 2 of 3 titled Ere ibeji figure, accession number 5-15924, described as Carving, ibeji. Standing female on base (most of which is missing). Arms at sides with negative space between arms and torso. Fingertips attached to thighs. Left breast missing, base and front of feet missing at ankles. Thick legs, layered zig-zag pattern representing pubic triangle. A bit of a pot belly, with low belly button. Very thick and flat lips and nose. Face is heavily worn. Hairdo is swept up to the crown of the head with 2 rows of 3 embeliishments inserted into coiffure. Vertical incised lines on hair. Ears are somewhat naturalistic in placement. No scarification. Buttocks are very small.Hearst Museum object 3 of 3 titled Ere ibeji figure, accession number 5-15924, described as Carving, ibeji. Standing female on base (most of which is missing). Arms at sides with negative space between arms and torso. Fingertips attached to thighs. Left breast missing, base and front of feet missing at ankles. Thick legs, layered zig-zag pattern representing pubic triangle. A bit of a pot belly, with low belly button. Very thick and flat lips and nose. Face is heavily worn. Hairdo is swept up to the crown of the head with 2 rows of 3 embeliishments inserted into coiffure. Vertical incised lines on hair. Ears are somewhat naturalistic in placement. No scarification. Buttocks are very small.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Ere ibeji figure, accession number 5-15924, described as Carving, ibeji. Standing female on base (most of which is missing). Arms at sides with negative space between arms and torso. Fingertips attached to thighs. Left breast missing, base and front of feet missing at ankles. Thick legs, layered zig-zag pattern representing pubic triangle. A bit of a pot belly, with low belly button. Very thick and flat lips and nose. Face is heavily worn. Hairdo is swept up to the crown of the head with 2 rows of 3 embeliishments inserted into coiffure. Vertical incised lines on hair. Ears are somewhat naturalistic in placement. No scarification. Buttocks are very small.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Ere ibeji figure, accession number 5-15924, described as Carving, ibeji. Standing female on base (most of which is missing). Arms at sides with negative space between arms and torso. Fingertips attached to thighs. Left breast missing, base and front of feet missing at ankles. Thick legs, layered zig-zag pattern representing pubic triangle. A bit of a pot belly, with low belly button. Very thick and flat lips and nose. Face is heavily worn. Hairdo is swept up to the crown of the head with 2 rows of 3 embeliishments inserted into coiffure. Vertical incised lines on hair. Ears are somewhat naturalistic in placement. No scarification. Buttocks are very small.

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