African Figure Yoruba? Ibeji?

Hello All,

I was just wondering if anyone knew any this about this piece as I have been trying to find something similar for a while. I can find things vaguely similar but none with similar outfits or facial features. Thank in advance for any information.

 

not an Ibeji ........

 

Thank you for letting me know!

 

@2manybooks .... may have an idea......

I find it hard to match , as I believe it to be a more recent carving...it may even be a mix of styles..

 

It is an interesting figure. Do you now any history about it?

It looks like it may be carved from African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon), also known as mpingo. It is a dense wood, often described as or mistaken for ebony, although they are different species. Is it rather heavy for its size?

African blackwood is the favored wood of Makonde carvers from Mozambique and Tanzania. The Makonde had a tradition of carving masks and household utensils for their own use, but began carving figures for sale when their contact with missionaries and Portuguese officials increased after WWI.

The detailed pattern of fine lines on the hair and dress of your figure is a style of carving that I have seen on many Makonde figures, and is one of the reasons I suspect it may have been done by a Makonde carver. The large features and lowered eyes are also seen in some of their traditional masks. You can see some of the same features in this example currently listed on etsy -

https://www.etsy.com/listing/691637668/makonde-carving-ebony-wood-african-art

Your figure would be an example of what is known as the "binadamu" style, which usually depicted people in traditional activities and clothing. The dress on your figure is unusual, looking almost like a matronly European. Here is a somewhat similar Makonde figure, in a more African style of wrapper -


https://jp.mercari.com/item/m573151...V2de_47FCu3pHEG_1CP9DT69l1r41UdnBYQ-dQfbmLf7s

Some more information on the history of Makonde carvings -

https://www.blackwoodconservation.org/makonde-art/

 

Thank you for the information it is very much appreciated and I have added it to my little reference library I am building. I think it is the outfit which has been confusing me most as I can't find anything similar. Unfortunately I don't have any provenance of use for the item but it is quite a heavy solid piece for its size. What you said makes absolute sense.

 

it's a more recent carving so finding a match in all the vintage and antique showings would be very difficult ....