Ancestor figure - Venavi doll - Ewe - Togo (No reserve price)

03
days
14
hours
02
minutes
39
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Dimitri André
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 150 - € 220
No bids placed

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 122473 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Description from the seller

A fine venavi figure made out of wood. This miniature is used as a doll among the Ewe people. The Ewe people of Ghana celebrate the birth of twins as a good omen. Twins known as Venavi, lead a life of parallel experiences as they are fed, bathed, and similarly dressed. However if one of the twins dies a Venovi figure is purchased to represent the deceased twin and is equally maintained as though alive, being washed and fed.Like the well-known Ibeji of the Yoruba that represent the same idea of portraying the deceased twin in a sculptural form, Ewe dolls are shown as adults and represent deceased twins.They are delightful miniature carvings and have a place in any collection for their carving and presence and for what they represent.
Provenance: former private collection from the Netherlands.

Shipping within 24 hours after the payment is received. Tracking number will be provided. Signature upon delivery. Fully insured.


Seller's Story

Asian African Art is a gallery specialized in authentic ethnographic art. Lately we are mainly focused on African Art We also have a specialism in golden collectable coins. Your order is in safe hands, we have more than 50 years experience in coins. For more interesting items please visit our website: Asian African Art, located in the Netherlands.

A fine venavi figure made out of wood. This miniature is used as a doll among the Ewe people. The Ewe people of Ghana celebrate the birth of twins as a good omen. Twins known as Venavi, lead a life of parallel experiences as they are fed, bathed, and similarly dressed. However if one of the twins dies a Venovi figure is purchased to represent the deceased twin and is equally maintained as though alive, being washed and fed.Like the well-known Ibeji of the Yoruba that represent the same idea of portraying the deceased twin in a sculptural form, Ewe dolls are shown as adults and represent deceased twins.They are delightful miniature carvings and have a place in any collection for their carving and presence and for what they represent.
Provenance: former private collection from the Netherlands.

Shipping within 24 hours after the payment is received. Tracking number will be provided. Signature upon delivery. Fully insured.


Seller's Story

Asian African Art is a gallery specialized in authentic ethnographic art. Lately we are mainly focused on African Art We also have a specialism in golden collectable coins. Your order is in safe hands, we have more than 50 years experience in coins. For more interesting items please visit our website: Asian African Art, located in the Netherlands.

Details

Ethnic group/ culture
Ewe
Country of Origin
Togo
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Textile, Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Ancestor figure - Venavi doll
Height
17 cm
Width
6 cm
Depth
5 cm
Weight
60 g
Provenance
Gallery / Antique dealer
The NetherlandsVerified
11296
Objects sold
100%
protop

Similar objects

For you in

African & Tribal Art