THE QUESTION
THE ANSWER
Our friend collector has sent has a good and clear group of photos and then I can be precise in the answer.
It is a pair of statuettes made in recent years, with a style that imitates the Ibeji from the town of Oyo.
The fact that these statuettes are made in recent years, maybe twenty or thirty years ago, does not eliminate by itself the possibility they were tribally used and therefore they could potentially be considered as a pair of Ibeji. In any case it is necessary to add that the tribal use of these statuettes after 1960 is very rare, but still possible.
But in this case, based upon the good and clear photos we have received, we think the patina was artificially added later on the two statuettes, in order to try to imitate a tribal use. In my opinion they are not a pair of Ibeji. A direct examination would allow to clear any doubt and confirm the above.
Fausto Polo
Jean-
