Both are of carved wood with traces of pigment and represent a male and a female. An Ibeji doll represents a dead twin. The Yoruba have the highest rate of twin births in the world (45 out of 1000) with an infant mortality rate of 50 per sent. The Yoruba believe that the twins share a single soul so if one dies, a companion figure is carved and treated as if it were alive. They are honored with libations and prayers because it is believed that they influence the life of the family. Measure approx. 8-1/2"T and 8"T.
The arts of the Yoruba are as numerous as their deities, and many objects are placed on shrines to honor the gods and the ancestors. Beautiful sculpture abounds in wood and brass and the occasional terracotta. Varied masking traditions have resulted in a great diversity of mask forms. Additional important arts include pottery, weaving, beadworking and metalsmithing.
400/600
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