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ID #SA787975
FOR SALE
£320
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Antique Authentic Tribal African Art Yoruba Ibeji Ibedji Figure Wooden Sculpture
Skippings Fine Arts
for sale €374     $406
£320
Skippings Fine Arts

Skippings Fine Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2018
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Antique Authentic Tribal African Art Yoruba Ibeji Ibedji Figure Wooden Sculpture

1920 - 1940
Description

Ibeji is name of a very specific type of carved wooden figure from Yorubaland in Nigeria.

Ibeji figures represent essentially late (twin) children, and are treated like actual children. They are carried around, bathed, powdered, given jewellery.

With the present Ibeji, note the lovely signs of wear around the mouth, where the figure was ritually "fed".

An Ibeji was the first authentic tribal object I acquired in 2002. It's only very recently that I understood why I feel so strongly about these figures: it is the fact that they have been very deeply cared for by their original owners.

The sculpture of an Ibeji - headdress, scarifications, shape of eyes - varies from region to region in Yorubaland, and allow the collector to situate the area, or even the town, where the artwork was carved. The present Ibeji comes from the city of Ibadan, and is an excellent, pure example of this particular style. For reference purposes, the final photo in this listing comes from specialist Fausto Polo's "Ibeji Archive" where a very similar piece is catalogued. The second-to-last photo shows a pair of Ibadan ibejis in the book "Doppelleben-Ibeji_Zwillingsfiguren der Yoruba".

Physical Dimensions
Height
24cm (9.45")
Width
8cm (3.15")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Declaration

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this Carved Yoruba Ibeji Figure to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA787975
Dealers Notes

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.

Description
Ibeji is name of a very specific type of carved wooden figure from Yorubaland in Nigeria.

Ibeji figures represent essentially late (twin) children, and are treated like actual children. They are carried around, bathed, powdered, given jewellery.

“
With the present Ibeji, note the lovely signs of wear around the mouth, where the figure was ritually "fed".
Skippings Fine Arts
fig 1. A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.
fig 1. Antique Authentic Tribal African Art Yoruba Ibeji Ibedji Figure Wooden Sculpture

An Ibeji was the first authentic tribal object I acquired in 2002. It's only very recently that I understood why I feel so strongly about these figures: it is the fact that they have been very deeply cared for by their original owners.

fig 2. A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.
fig 2. Antique Authentic Tribal African Art Yoruba Ibeji Ibedji Figure Wooden Sculpture

The sculpture of an Ibeji - headdress, scarifications, shape of eyes - varies from region to region in Yorubaland, and allow the collector to situate the area, or even the town, where the artwork was carved. The present Ibeji comes from the city of Ibadan, and is an excellent, pure example of this particular style. For reference purposes, the final photo in this listing comes from specialist Fausto Polo's "Ibeji Archive" where a very similar piece is catalogued. The second-to-last photo shows a pair of Ibadan ibejis in the book "Doppelleben-Ibeji_Zwillingsfiguren der Yoruba".

Height
24cm (9.45")
Width
8cm (3.15")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Date of Manufacture

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this Carved Yoruba Ibeji Figure to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA787975
Skippings Fine Arts
Skippings Fine Arts
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2018

Modern french & continental pictures selected by a former french auction house expert

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Skippings Fine Arts Profile Page

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A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.
1 / 8
Archive I A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.

Antique Authentic Tribal African Art Yoruba Ibeji Ibedji Figure Wooden Sculpture

Archive II A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base. View II
Archive III A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.
Archive V A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base. View V
Archive VI A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base. View VI
Archive VII A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base. View VII
Archive VIII A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Skippings Fine Arts

Skippings Fine Arts
Telephone 0747 257 2398
Location
Norfolk
United Kingdom

By appointment
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/skippingsfinearts
Verified Since Feb 2018
Items For Sale 168
Items Sold 684
Skippings Fine Arts
Skippings Fine Arts
Verified Since Feb 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom, , By appointment
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/skippingsfinearts
Verified
Feb 2018
For Sale
168
Sold
684
A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.
Antique authentic tribal African art Yoruba Ibeji Ibedji Figure wooden sculpture
Ref: SA787975
A dark patinated carved wooden Yoruba Ibeji figure featuring a high conical headdress, facial scarification, and a standing posture on a circular base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Ere Ibeji figures are carved wooden statues created by the Yoruba people of West Africa to honour the spirit of a deceased twin. In Yoruba culture, twins are believed to possess spiritual power, and the figures act as physical representations to maintain spiritual harmony and family balance.

These sculptures are traditionally carved from a single block of indigenous African hardwood using hand tools. The surfaces were frequently treated with organic pigments, indigo dyes, or sacrificial coatings such as palm oil and camwood powder to build up a dark patina over time.

Authentic figures typically demonstrate characteristic stylistic traits such as elaborate conical or crested hairstyles, facial scarification striations, and exaggerated head-to-body proportions. Evidence of ritual handling, smooth surface wear from tactile devotional care, and natural aging of the wood further indicate authenticity.

A carved wooden tribal sculpture works well when displayed on a minimalist bookshelf, mantelpiece, or console table alongside structured architectural elements. Placing it against neutral plaster or dark painted walls creates visual contrast, allowing its textural patina and carved silhouette to stand out.

Maintain the timber by dusting regularly with a soft, dry natural-bristle brush, avoiding water or abrasive liquid cleaners. Position the piece away from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources to prevent the wood from cracking or drying out.
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