Ewe Venavi Twin Figures | Carved Wood, Glass Bead Necklaces, Togo / Ghana

West Africa, Ghana and Togo, Ewe people. A pair of Ewe venavi, carved wooden twin figures in the form of matching standing nude women. Each figure holds its arms close to its sides, and a long neck rises to a stylized face with incised eyes, a small mouth, and a darkened crested coiffure. Red pigment colors the hands and feet, and a strand of tiny red, white, and blue glass beads circles each neck. The Ewe traditionally commissioned venavi after the death of a twin and cared for them as the living child: washing, feeding, dressing, and adorning them. The worn surfaces here likely come from that kind of handling. Each figure stands on a black display base. Among the Ewe of southeastern Ghana and southern Togo, twins (venaviwo) are believed to share one soul. When one twin dies, a small figure, the venavi (often written "venovi"), is carved to keep the bond between the siblings and to protect the surviving twin. The mother or the surviving twin then looks after the figure: carrying it, offering it food, and adorning it with beads, cloth, and pigment. The practice is close to the better-known Yoruba ere ibeji tradition of neighboring Nigeria. Unlike ibeji, though, Ewe venavi are usually more slender and simplified, often have armless or column-like bodies, and are frequently treated with bright pigments. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. Item # 203950

Estimation:€445.75

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