Hohovi twin couple on roosters, Adja/Fon, Benin, c. 1925–1930

Description

Extraordinary Hohovi twin pair from Benin, probably c. 1925–1930, featuring two wooden figures standing on cockerels and adorned with beads around the neck and waist.

The two figures, 20 and 22 cm high, belong to the tradition of Hohovi twin figures from the south of Benin. They are carved from wood and have a dark patina resulting from age and use, with local traces of pigment. Both figures wear beaded necklaces and waist beads.

Unusual is the depiction of the figures on cockerels. This unusual iconography gives the pair a strong sculptural character. No convincing documentation has been found for the precise meaning of the birds within this specific representation, which is why we consciously refrain from attaching a ritual interpretation to it.

Hohovi are made within the twin traditions of the Adja and Fon, among others, in historical Dahomey, present-day Benin. They are related to, but culturally distinct from, the better-known Yoruba Ibeji. Such figures could represent a deceased twin and were cared for within the family and treated as an enduring presence of the twin.

Origin & meaning
Attributed to the Adja/Fon cultural region of southern Benin, probably c. 1925–1930. The name Hohovi is used for twin figures within the Adja and Fon traditions of Benin, among others. The pair was collected in Cové, Benin, which geographically supports this attribution.

Provenance
Collected in Cové, Benin, by Luc Huysveldt of Amma Tribal Art, Antwerp.

Dimensions & condition
Height approx. 20 and 22 cm.

Carved wood with a dark patination from handling, traces of pigment and beads around the neck and waist. Signs of age and wear consistent with age and ritual use. See the photographs for a full impression of the condition.