West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. first quarter of the 20th century CE. A carved wooden Ibeji male twin figure that was originally part of a pair. The nude man stands with attenuated legs atop an integral circular plinth, holds both arms to his waist adorned in red pigment, and wears a strand of cobalt blue trade beads above stylized genitals. His elongated head features bulging eyes and ears, incised scarification grooves on his cheeks and eyelids, and a backswept coiffure bound in a knot and colored with natural indigo pigment. Smooth patina has formed across most unpainted areas. Size: 2.9" W x 9.25" H (7.4 cm x 23.5 cm)
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, Collection number on base reads 59.33.16
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