The photo submitted shows a Ibeji of good level, with a nice natural patina and very
small traces of camwood. It is enriched with several necklaces, around the neck and
waist, attached by the mother after the carving of the Ibeji. The thin metallic round
cuffs around the legs of the Ibeji are not ornaments, but have the purpose of warding
off the spirits.
With regard to the question of the collector, if the Ibeji has to be classified with
the file 840 or 841, the answer is fairly simple. The characteristics of the file
841 come from the analysis of 3 elements: - the eyes - the ears - the hairstyle.
The characteristics of these three identifying elements, as indicated in the second
volume of the "Catalog of the Ibeji", can all be found in the Ibeji of the friend
collector. It is also true that the Ibeji in the photos of the Catalog have a round
base, while the Ibeji submitted has a base formed by two feet wearing high sandals.
But the base type is only a secondary and not an identifying element, therefore it
is not determinant for the identification of the Ibeji. Based upon the above, the
correct identification of this Ibeji is then the file 841, from Omu Aran, even if
the base is not round.The degree of rarity is SCARCE and it can also be identified
with the photos n. 569 and 570 of the Encyclopedia of the Ibeji.
Fausto Polo
Fausto Polo
