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Twin Memorial Figure (ere Ibéjì) with Beaded Garment (èwù ìlèkè)

Twin Memorial Figure (ere Ibéjì) with Beaded Garment (èwù ìlèkè)

Unknown

With the highest twin birthrate in the world, Yorùbá people regard twins (Ibéjì) as sacred. If one or both departed prematurely, the parents commissioned a carved memorial figure (ere Ibéjì) to demonstrate their love and devotion for a lost child. The figures were adorned with lavish jewelry and garments made of beads and shells, and were painted, bathed, oiled, fed, sung to, and danced with.
Artist
Unknown (Nigerian, Yorùbá People)
Title
Twin Memorial Figure (ere Ibéjì) with Beaded Garment (èwù ìlèkè)
Date
early 20th century
Medium
Wood, beads, cowrie shells, paint, fabric, and leather
Dimensions
11 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. overall
Credit
Gift of Drs. James and Gladys Witt Strain
Accession No.
1993.82a-b
Classification
Sculpture
Geography
Nigeria

Related

23 December 1993, gifted by Drs. James and Gladys Strain (Riverdale, NY) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Exhibition gallery guide, "Revealing Forms: African Art from the Elvehjem Collection." 2002.
  • Drewal, Henry John. "African Art at the Elvehjem." Bulletin/Biennial Report 2001-2003. Elvehjem Museum of Art (2003): 16-36. pp. 16-36
  • Chazen Museum of Art. "Artscene." Vol. 27, No. 1, January-June 2010. p. 3

  • Revealing Forms: African Art from the Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 4/20/2002–6/16/2002

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