mid-20th century.
Wood with organic & mineral pigments.
(16 1/4" diam. x 1 1/4" d.)

Yoruba people, Nigeria
wood w/ oil paint, nails
(15" h. x 9" w. x 13" d.)

Yoruba people, Nigeria
wood w/ oil paint (8 1/2"h. x 8"w. x 10"d.)

mid-20th century
Wood with red clay pigment, considerable wear.
(each 11" h. x 3" w. x 3 1/4" d.),

Yoruba, Nigeria, mid-20th century
Wood with red, black, white oil paint, with remnants of red fabric costume (11"h x 7"w).  
Mounted on custom stand.
 

Yoruba region, Nigeria.  Mid-20th century.
13-Strip-woven cotton dyed with indigo w/ turquoise silk or synthetic fiber thread.
(82" l. x 52" w.)

Yoruba people, Nigeria
wood w/ organic patina (18" h. x 8 1/4" w. x 8" d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
Purchased c. 1970s. 

mid-20th century
14-Strip woven cotton, rayon. and wild moth silk textile w/ supplemental emboidery
(73"l. x 53"w.)

mid-20th century
15-Strip woven cotton with Indigo and other dyes
(69"l. x 59"w.)

Early-20th century.
Wood with organic & mineral pigments, glass beads.
(11 1/2" x 3 1/2” x 3 1/4”)

Ex. Jonathan Fisher collection.  Purchased in Nigeria, 1970.

The Yoruba have the highest incidence of twinning in the world. Because twins tend to have a low birth weight, they have a high infant mortality rate. In Yoruba belief deceased twins may try to lure their living twins to the world of the dead. To appease them, carved figured of the dead rendered in adult form were cared for like real children. They were washed, fed, and dressed with beads and taken out to be danced on public occasions. Treated with respect, they bring good fortune to their families: mistreated, they may cause poverty, illness, and even death.  (Yale University Art Gallery)

mid-20th century.
Wood with organic & mineral pigments.
(11" h. x 3 5/5" w. x 3 3/4" d.)

The Yoruba have the highest incidence of twinning in the world. Because twins tend to have a low birth weight, they have a high infant mortality rate. In Yoruba belief deceased twins may try to lure their living twins to the world of the dead. To appease them, carved figured of the dead rendered in adult form were cared for like real children. They were washed, fed, and dressed with beads and taken out to be danced on public occasions. Treated with respect, they bring good fortune to their families: mistreated, they may cause poverty, illness, and even death.  (Yale University Art Gallery)

Yoruba region, Nigeria.  Mid-20th century.
7-Strip-woven cotton dyed with indigo w/ turquoise silk or synthetic fiber thread.
(72" l. x 27 1/2" w.)

mid-20th century.
Wood with organic & mineral pigments.

9 3/4" h. x 3 1/2" w.

The Yoruba have the highest incidence of twinning in the world. Because twins tend to have a low birth weight, they have a high infant mortality rate. In Yoruba belief deceased twins may try to lure their living twins to the world of the dead. To appease them, carved figured of the dead rendered in adult form were cared for like real children. They were washed, fed, and dressed with beads and taken out to be danced on public occasions. Treated with respect, they bring good fortune to their families: mistreated, they may cause poverty, illness, and even death.  (Yale University Art Gallery)

mid-20th century
14-Strip woven cotton w/ supplemental emboidery
(70"l. x 54"w.)

wood w/ oil paint
(11"h. x 5 1/4"w. x 3"d.)