Books for Sale
Encyclopedia of the Ibeji
By Fausto Polo
$160
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Hardover binding
12½ x 9½ x 2 inches
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660 pages
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510 full-page Ibeji singles or pairs plates in color
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Available in English, French, German, or Italian
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Published by Ibeji Art in 2008
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The Encyclopedia of the Ibeji guides the beginner and the advanced collectors to the identification of the place of provenance of the Ibeji showing over 500 photos of classified Ibeji. Fausto Polo believes that the valid Ibeji carvers were between three and four hundred. The Ibeji carvers, like the great majority of the tribal carvers, have kept substantially unchanged through time their own carving characteristics, making very often the same model. It is then essential to have a book containing the photos of the Ibeji from each Yoruba carver who worked in a period of time between 1830 and 1960. This is what Fausto Polo wanted to accomplish by publishing this book. It was then very important to offer a very large selection of Ibeji’s photos, showing for each one the place of provenance, the degree of rarity, and, if known, the workshop of the carver. In the Encyclopedia of the Ibeji you will find 510 high quality beautiful Ibeji’s photo, singles or pairs. You will also find:
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a chapter dedicated to the carving characteristics of the Ibeji;
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a chapter dedicated to the different types of patina of the Ibeji;
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a chapter dedicated to the Ibeji carvers and their identifying place;
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a chapter dedicated to an innovative method to evaluate qualitatively and economically the Ibeji, based on the carving characteristics and the patina;
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a chapter dedicated to the expertise of the Ibeji, with some practical examples.
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Ibeji
The Magic Twins
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Catalogue of the Exhibit with price list - March 21-24, 2024
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$50 Free shipping
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SOFTCOVER BINDING
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Bilingual in Italian and English
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12 x 8½ x 1 inches
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100 full pages
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90 high quality Ibeji photos
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Published by Ibeji Art
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This Catalogue contains the photos of 74 lots of Ibeji on display at the "Ibeji, The Magic Twins" Exhibit. Includes also the price list of the 57 lots for sale. Each lot is illustrated with one or two full page photos of the Ibeji, with the description and the classification. Introduction by Lorenzo Polo on the Ibeji Cult.
Catalogue of the Ibeji
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By Fausto Polo & Jean David
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$ 225
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Hardcover binding
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2 Volumes
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260/295 pages
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150/200 color plates
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165 typologies of Ibeji
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Available in English, French, or German
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Published by Galerie Walu in 2001 & 2003
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The Catalogue of the Ibeji was written by Fausto Polo with the Swiss gallerist Jean David in two volumes, the first one in 2001 and the second in 2005. It provides the tools to classify the Ibeji based upon their carving characteristics, such as hairstyle, face, nose, hands, base and many others. Together with the Encyclopedia provide all the necessary info to be able to classify accurately the Ibeji. Plenty of beautiful colored photos. It has become a classic and is now hard to find. We still have some copies for sale, all brand new.
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Ibeji
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By Mareidi and Gert Stoll
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$ 350
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Softcover binding
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Published in 1980
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338 Pages
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Color and B&W photos
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Text in English and German
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This is the first reference book on the Ibeji, published in 1980 and written by Gert Stoll. It is a "must own" and an iconic book for every Ibeji collector. Today it is very hard to find, especially in new condition. Very few copies are available.
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Doppel-Leben IBEJ
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By Hanni Jantzen & Himmer Verlag
$ 120
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Softcover binding
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152 pages
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106 with color and B&W photos
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Text in German language
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Catalogue of the Aachen Exhibition in 1993
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An important, foundational text on ibeji with both color and black and white photos; German text only.
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ERE IBEJI
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By Dos and Bertie Winkel
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$325
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Hardcover binding
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Published in 2014
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161 Pages with color photos
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Text in English language
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25.6 x 25.6 x 2.2 cm
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Among the Yoruba of southwest Nigeria, the rate of twin births is over four times the worldwide average. This fact, along with the high infant mortality rate, gave rise to the creation of a unique twin cult. For each deceased twin, a small wooden figurine, or ere ibeji, was carved in which its spirit could live on. This statuette was lovingly cared for and in return brought the family health and prosperity. Through the lens of Jean-Pierre Depienne and the pen of Bruno Claessens, the 32 ere ibeji from the private collection of Dos and Bertie Winkel are presented in this english-language book for the first time. After an introductory text on the subject, the extensive variety of styles of this very particular type of African art is described in depth.
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IBEJI
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by Xavier Richier
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$155
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Hardcover binding
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Published in 2016
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208 Pages with color photos
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Text in English and French languages.
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8.6 * 11 * 1 inches
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According to Yoruba legend, the ibeji—united and inseparable twins—were sent into the world by monkeys, whose knowledge of nature’s secrets surpasses that of men. Regarded as sacred, they are venerated in a cult based on statuettes, the ere ibeji, which are commissioned from master sculptors by the families of the deceased twins. The eighty works from Benin and Nigeria presented in this book reflect the incredible stylistic diversity and beauty of these silent symbols of an age-old tradition—an eloquent expression of the creative potential of African art.
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Ibeji-The Cult of Yoruba Twins
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By George Chemeche
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$260
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Hardcover binding
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Published in 2006
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336 Pages with color photos
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11.4 * 9.8 * 1.2 inches
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Text in English language
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5 Continent Editions
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"An artistic reaction to the high rate of twinning among the Yoruba of Africa, the approximately 600 beautiful and rare twin figuresere ibejiillustrated in this book were chosen from museums and private collections in the United States and throughout the world. Keeping in mind the specifics of use, differences in detail and alterations in style are considered in terms of the effects of the passage of time, including ritual usage and handling. Because a full appreciation of ere ibeji requires an understanding of the history and role of twin figures in Yoruba culture, the essays accompanying the photographs explain this important contextual material."
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