Carving, ibejis. Standing figures on self-bases with carved pattern on outside base edges. Both have tall, crown-like hairdos with zig-zag border around hairline. Rounded shoulders and thick upper arms. Negative space between arms and torso, fingers are long and deeply carved fingertips attach to upper thigh. Eyes have lines radiating out on eyelids representing eyelashes. No facial markings. Prominent flat noses with deep cuts between nose and upper lip. Detail carving on female is better than the male. Both have 2 rows of zig-zags above genitalia. Indentation of spine on both. Ears are so far back on the head that they meet at the top of the neck and can't be seen from the front. No apparent signs of use. Torsos have "pot-bellies" with flat belly buttons.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Africa
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba; Ile Ibuke, Oke Afin; Oyo; by Mr. Oke Akanbi
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Maker or artist:
Oke Akanbi
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
1960
Materials:
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.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
5-15920a— height 29 centimeters and 5-15920b— height 29 centimeters