An Ewe venavi ibeji couple, standing on their feet, little black slip on shoes, straight legs, robust arms, long hands, the female sculpture has sparkling nail polish on her finders tips, they are both wearing a polkadot underwear delicately painted, a rounded carved navel, wide shoulders, ringed neck, delicately carved oval shaped heads, where in lays calming facial features that are also very expressive, the mouth slightly smiling, a pointed nose, the eyes marked with a black painted dot, fine arched eyebrows painted black, big ears, the hair is pulled back and painted black with small carving to suggest a texture, the style of these two sculptures is of the Western 60s, independence of Ghana; light wood, some age cracks, signs of use. Certificate of providence.

These beautiful figures 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 or her likeness and looked after it like a living child.

"The Ewe, who live in southern Togo and Ghana are the eastern neighbors of Asante. They are probably best known for their textiles and also for small wooden dolls called "venovi" or "venavi" which are used like the Yoruba people in Nigeria used Ibeji twin figurines, for protection of survivor after death of a twin. Some scholars state that they are also used as children's dolls as well as sometimes used as fertility dolls by women who keep these dolls under their mattresses or were worn under the skirts of young women to ensure fertility. Scarifications and added clothing and strings of beads reveal family and clan religious and social affiliations." Source: ISN'T S/HE A DOLL.

Lit.: ISN'T S/HE A DOLL.

sold

Height: 25 cm / 26 cm
Weight: 260 g / 300 g