Carving, ibeji. Standing male on round self-base. Head makes up 1/2 the figure's height. Arms at sides with negative space between torso and arms, palms against thighs. Good detail on toes. Heavy areas on encrustation. Face shows signs of wear and use. Large eyes with radiating incisions (eyebrows?). Scarification on cheeks and forehead that stretch from the hairline down to the chin. Holes in eyes. May have had a belly button. Elaborate hairdo rising up on the top of the head with various peaks and incised lines, from the top a ponytail/braid attaches to the base of the hairline at the neck with negative space in between. Nose is wide, flat, and broad. Figure wears 5 Erinle bracelets, on the left wrist: 1 with beads, 1 of braided leather and 1 of knotted string; on the right wrist, 1 of braided leather, and one of knotted string. Ears are set back on the head, very small chin.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
W. Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba (Ibadau)
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
1969
Materials:
Leather and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works) and Ere ibeji
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Accession date:
December 15, 1995
Context of use:
Traditionally carved on the death of a twin or twins.