Fon Male Ibeji or 'Twins' Figure

A tall, ridged crown, a squat body and a coil curled around the base

This male Ibeji or ‘twins’ figure is from Benin, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved wood & glass. When one or both twins die, a ceremonial figure is made for the Ibeji soul, and some figures take days or even weeks to carve with ritual and care. A dark, glossy standing figure with a towering segmented crest, wide-set eyes and a thin red collar of beads. The arms stay close to the body above bent legs. A loop of wire circles the feet on a round base. It is 6 inches wide, 5 deep and 18 high.

The crown is the tallest thing about it, by quite some margin.