THE QUESTION

THE ANSWER

The Ibeji submitted is certainly interesting, even if the low definition photo does not give all the credit that, most likely, would deserve.

It seems it has a nice patina and still has some residues of camwood in the areas harder to caress by the family members.

It has two rounded metal bracelets around each wrist, a beaded belt and a nice necklace with cubic beads. The two feet, wearing high sandals with visible buckles, make the base of the Ibeji.

The most noticeable elements are the two Islamic triangles, carved on the front and on the back of the statue, joined together by two small suspenders on the shoulders. These two triangle-shaped Islamic amulets are an important identifying element for the classification of this Ibeji.  

In fact, the place of origin was Ilorin (Oyo) and it is classified on the file n. 761 of the Catalogue of the Ibeji. A similar type is also shown on the plate n. 467 of the Encyclopedia of the Ibeji. The degree  of rarity is “SCARCE”.

                               Fausto Polo

Thomas from Sweden would like to know the place of origin and the degree of rarity of this Ibeji. The height is 23 cm.