Twin Figures with Glass and Metal Ornamentation
Item
Accession Number
2024.29.
Title
Twin Figures with Glass and Metal Ornamentation
Ethnic Group
Yoruba
Subject
Figure|Ritual|West Africa
Country
Nigeria
Date
Early 20th Century
Medium
Wood, glass beads, metal, pigment
Format
H x W x D: 11 in x 4 in x 3 3/4 in (27.94 cm x 10.16 cm x 9.525 cm)
Description
The wooden carved female twin figures are highly decorated with dark pigments, glass beads and metal jewelry. The bodies are rounded, kneeling with their arms at their sides. The eyes are closed with thinly incised lines marking the eyelids. Scarification patterns run vertically up and down the cheeks. Twin figures were created to commemorate either one child or the set of twins after death. Twins are believed to have spiritual powers in communities of Nigeria like Yoruba, thus memorial figures were often created.
Type
Twin Figures
