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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographical / A wooden sculpture - Fon - Benin (No reserve price)
Fon Twin Figure (Hohovi/Venavi) - Ouidah Region, Benin The small wooden figure is almost completely transformed by its precious textile adornment. A dark red velvet cloak, densely covered with cowrie shells arranged in vertical rows, covers the slender body, creating a shimmering surface. Only the head and neck remain visible. The face is rigorously stylized: large, almond-shaped eyes, a short nose, and a small mouth emerge from a red and white painted surface. Parallel incised lines divide the tightly fitting hairstyle. The combination of wood, pigment, textile, and cowrie shells makes the figure appear as a carefully clothed, yet still socially present, body. This work belongs to the twin cult in southern Benin, which has different local variations among the Fon, Adja, and neighboring Ewe peoples. The terms Venavi and Hohovi are sometimes used interchangeably in the literature; among the Fon, Hohovi is the more precise term. Figurines of deceased twins could be treated, clothed, and ritually cared for like living family members. The numerous cowrie shells of this particular specimen enhance its physical presence and suggest its value and the special care it received. Literature (selection): Christian Merlo: “Ibedji, Hohovi, Venavi”, 1977. Hans Scheutz: The Twin Figurines of the Ewe (Venavi Figurines). Vienna 2022. Angelo Micheli: Venavi et Hohovi. Paris 2024. Some of the information and photos are generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history documents. Copyright reserverd for all info and photos. Inv. No. MAZ27858 Informant: Batoure
Estimate:£214.28
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Estimate:
£214.28
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