133
Early 20th C. African Wood Ibeji Twins, Matched Pr.
1/8
Description
West Africa, Yoruba culture, Ibeji, ca. early 20th c. CE. A matching pair of deceased female twin figures, known as Ibeji, most likely from Osogbo or the Igbomina region of Yoruba land, carved from an inherently beautiful wood, showing strong detailing particularly in their elaborate coiffures, the scarification marks on their cheeks, breasts, and abdominal regions, and expressive facial features, generous red pigment remains on their bodies, and one wears a strand of black glass beads around her neck, wrist, and ankle. Size: each ~ 11.875" H (30.2 cm)The Yoruba have one of the highest number of twin births in the world, four times higher than in Europe, for example. Ibeji are known to the Yoruba as two people who share one soul. If one of the human twins dies, whether as a child or an adult, the surviving human twin is considered to have little hope of living with only half a soul. Further, the deceased's soul must have a place to reside. Wooden figures, like this pair, keep the souls of the twins together. When a matched pair of twins is made, it is an indication that both human twins have died. This pair shows darkened, worn, and smooth surfaces which convey the devotion and respect to the Ibeji spirit. "Ultimately, the surface of an Ibeji measures the object's spiritual value to the caregiver. The response of the Yoruba mothers and caregivers is primarily personal and spiritual, not aesthetic. Even an Ibeji carved by a mediocre artisan can develop a surface reflecting great efficacy to the believer. The wood is worked, fed, oiled, and clothed not so much to fulfill an aesthetic ideal but to fulfill a human need "....taken from 'Ibeji Surface Analysis' by Charles Bordogna, in 'Surfaces' ed. Kahan, Page, Imperato, 2009 by Indiana Univ. Press. Thus, the Yoruba have traditionally had a high rate of multiple births and have always valued twins as special. When a twin dies, a figure dedicated to Ibeji, the deity of twins, is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of that twin. The figure is then nurtured by the mother and/or the surviving twin. In this case, we have a matching female pair of twins. It bears repeating that one should take note of the painstaking attention to details, from their elaborately carved coiffures to the scarification marks on their faces and abdominal regions, not to mention the glass bead necklace adorning one of the figures. Beads were a sign of status and wealth among the Yoruba. A very special pair, quite well cared for! Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970. Condition: Expected surface wear with nice lustrous, dark patina. Liberal remains of red cinnabar on bodies. Missing metal eyes. Stable age cracks. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #120088
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
West Africa, Yoruba culture, Ibeji, ca. early 20th c. CE. A matching pair of deceased female twin figures, known as Ibeji, most likely from Osogbo or the Igbomina region of Yoruba land, carved from an inherently beautiful wood, showing strong detailing particularly in their elaborate coiffures, the scarification marks on their cheeks, breasts, and abdominal regions, and expressive facial features, generous red pigment remains on their bodies, and one wears a strand of black glass beads around her neck, wrist, and ankle. Size: each ~ 11.875" H (30.2 cm)The Yoruba have one of the highest number of twin births in the world, four times higher than in Europe, for example. Ibeji are known to the Yoruba as two people who share one soul. If one of the human twins dies, whether as a child or an adult, the surviving human twin is considered to have little hope of living with only half a soul. Further, the deceased's soul must have a place to reside. Wooden figures, like this pair, keep the souls of the twins together. When a matched pair of twins is made, it is an indication that both human twins have died. This pair shows darkened, worn, and smooth surfaces which convey the devotion and respect to the Ibeji spirit. "Ultimately, the surface of an Ibeji measures the object's spiritual value to the caregiver. The response of the Yoruba mothers and caregivers is primarily personal and spiritual, not aesthetic. Even an Ibeji carved by a mediocre artisan can develop a surface reflecting great efficacy to the believer. The wood is worked, fed, oiled, and clothed not so much to fulfill an aesthetic ideal but to fulfill a human need "....taken from 'Ibeji Surface Analysis' by Charles Bordogna, in 'Surfaces' ed. Kahan, Page, Imperato, 2009 by Indiana Univ. Press. Thus, the Yoruba have traditionally had a high rate of multiple births and have always valued twins as special. When a twin dies, a figure dedicated to Ibeji, the deity of twins, is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of that twin. The figure is then nurtured by the mother and/or the surviving twin. In this case, we have a matching female pair of twins. It bears repeating that one should take note of the painstaking attention to details, from their elaborately carved coiffures to the scarification marks on their faces and abdominal regions, not to mention the glass bead necklace adorning one of the figures. Beads were a sign of status and wealth among the Yoruba. A very special pair, quite well cared for! Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970. Condition: Expected surface wear with nice lustrous, dark patina. Liberal remains of red cinnabar on bodies. Missing metal eyes. Stable age cracks. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #120088
Variety Sale - Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
P.O. BOX 714
Erie
Colorado
80516
United States
For Artemis Gallery LIVE delivery information please telephone +1 7208907700.
Important Information
You'll find plenty of options in our Feb. 9 auction that will cater to all tastes and budgets. Classical antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy, the Near East. Asian art from China, Japan, Thailand, more! Pre-Columbian. Native American. African / Tribal / Oceanic. Spanish Colonial. Fossils. Jewelry. So much more!
Terms & Conditions
The following are the TERMS OF SALE for bidding in Live Auction, Thursday, February 9, 2017. AUCTION will start at 8 a.m. MT, 10 p.m. EST, 7 a.m. PST - Live Online / Absentee Bidding only. Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. These terms are applicable to all bidders in this auction, collectors and dealers alike. Please do not bid in this auction if you do not agree to all of the terms listed below. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance of these "Terms of Sale." 1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. 2. This is an auction sale, not an approval sale. By bidding in this auction, the bidder personally guarantees payment. The auctioneer has final discretion in all matters. In case of dispute, the lot(s) in question may be resold. Lots will be sold in their numerical sequence unless the auctioneer directs otherwise. 3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only. 4. No lots will be released / shipped until payment has been made in full. Payment(in U.S. funds) may be made via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. For PayPal payments please use "artemisgallery@gmail.com" email address for processing payments. 5. BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 24.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final price of each lot purchased through Artemis Gallery and will be paid by all bidders without exception. 6. CO SALES TAX: Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Artemis Gallery Live prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt. 7. RETURN POLICY: If our description of the item is not as described, we will accept return of the item; however, WE MUST HAVE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF RETURN WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF ITEM BY BIDDER, as shown by FedEx, UPS or USPS tracking data, and the item must be received by us within ten days in the condition received. A written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must be presented for refund. No lots may be returned without prior written consent. Late remittance constitutes just cause for revocation of all return privileges. Return shipping is at the bidder's expense. In no event may any lot(s) be returned after fifteen (15) days from the date of the auction. As of February 24, 2017 ALL SALES ARE FINAL. 8. BIDDING will be conducted ONLINE / LIVE as the auction progresses. Bidders may place their bids LIVE, via PHONE or by leaving ABSENTEE BIDS via the Live Auctioneers auction catalog. Please keep in mind that Phone Bids will be accepted on a limited basis and must be arranged in advance. 9. SHIPPING: As a convenience to our buyers, shipping is handled in-house. All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. **For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding** 9a. REQUEST TO DELAY SHIPPING FOR LOTS WON: We are happy to delay shipping on all paid lots for up to 30 days with no storage fees. After 30 days, storage fees will accrue based on a 2% of invoice total. 10. ESTIMATES for each lot are given only as a guide to help gauge bidding. Lots may sell for a price greater than or less than these estimates. 11. STARTING PRICES may or may not be the actual price at which any item will sell. At the discretion of the auctioneer, starting prices may be lowered to encourage bidding, but this is up to the auctioneer. 12. The auctioneer may open the bidding on any lot by placing a bid on behalf of the seller. The auctioneer may accept or decline any bid, or challenge to any bid, as he in his sole discretion shall determine. 13. ALL BIDDERS must register in order to bid. 14. In the event a successful bidder fails to make payment when due, Artemis Gallery reserves the right to re-sell the merchandise and bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and also to pay any difference between the resale price and the previously successful bid, together with any incidental costs of sale and disbursements. 15. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full when due per invoice terms, including any applicable credit card processing fees, the unpaid balance will bear interest at the highest rate permitted by law until paid in full. If the matter is referred to an attorney for collection, bidder agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection cost incurred by Artemis Gallery to collect past due invoices and that the services of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient to confer "in personam" jurisdiction over bidder. 16. Buyer agrees that any claim of controversy arising out of, or relating to the formation, interpretation of performance of these terms and underlying transactions or the breach thereof, is subject to arbitration or judicial proceedings and shall take place within the County of Boulder, CO subject to the laws of the State of Colorado. 17. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@artemisgallery.com with questions prior to bidding or feel free to call us at 720-890-7700. Please be sure to ask all questions at least 30 minutes prior to auction start time, as we will not be able to take calls or answer emails sent to us during the auction. Good luck!
