Pair of Yoruba Ere Ibeji Figures, Igbomina Subgroup

Highly stylized Yoruba twin pair with tapering heads, high forehead, large diamond-shaped eyes and broad smiles displaying traditionally filed incisors.

The features are recognizable as the hand of a particular carver working in the early to mid 20th century in the town of Ajasse. I’ve found three supposed names for this carver but an identical pair on IbejiArchive.com (online archive illustrating regional styles and variations) suggests the name Dagikonle. The archive also classifies these examples as “scarce” in terms of rarity.

Each figure is adorned with the same style of braided leather bracelet, brass/bronze anklets and – judging from the piercings present on both – they also once had earrings.

As with many other Igbomina examples, these figures stand on individually carved high sandals rather than solid bases common to other parts of Yorubaland.

Impressed letter/number marks on the underside of their feet is in the style of collector and dealer Lau (Laurits) Sunde (1910-1979), Copenhagen.

Last sold via Skinner Auction, 2005.