Lot 61
61
A GROUP OF SIX NIGERIAN 'IBEJI' BEADED JACKETS
The VAT treatment will depend on whether you have … Read more
A GROUP OF SIX NIGERIAN 'IBEJI' BEADED JACKETS

YORUBA TRIBE, MID-20TH CENTURY

Details
A GROUP OF SIX NIGERIAN 'IBEJI' BEADED JACKETS
YORUBA TRIBE, MID-20TH CENTURY
Each mounted on a metal stand
9. 1/2 in. (24 cm.) high overall; 9 ½ in. (24 cm.) wide
Special notice
The VAT treatment will depend on whether you have registered to bid with an EU or non-EU address: If you register to bid with an address within the EU you will be invoiced under the VAT Margin Scheme. If you register to bid with an address outside of the EU you will be invoiced under standard VAT rules.

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Lot Essay

The Yoruba women have the highest rate of twin births in the world. Their survival and death are considered to be highly significant; bestowing good or ill fortune upon the family. As it was believed the twins shared a soul, if one should die a diviner was often consulted to decided upon either an appropriate sacrifice, or whether an Ibeji figure should be made and by whom. One was sometimes made for the surviving twin. These votive sculptures were cherished, often dressed in these vibrant beaded jackets. For similar examples see J. Pemberton, J. Picton and L Olonade Fakey, Ibeji: The Cult of the Yoruba Twins, 1999.

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