Two small Ewe sculpture Ibeji Venavi, standing on wooden bases, thin straight legs a cylindric body, a very thick chest and neck coming out of it, carrying a small rounded head, composed of small features where we can discern a little square mouth, small simple nose and simple eyes marked with a black painted dot, they are both coiffed with black hair in an inmost helmet like shape both have a black dot on their neck and some remnants of red on their right sides; cracks, signs of use, glossy by use.

“These beautiful figure with a light patina were used for the cult of the twins. Coming closer to Yoruba beliefs, the Ewe, on the death of a twin, had a statuette carved in his likeness and looked after it like a living child. Under the caresses and care provided, the face of our statuette gradually faded.”

Source: Christies

Further reading: Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture by K.-F. Schädler.

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Height: 16,5 cm / 16,5 cm
Weight: 60 g / 70 g