Provenance

Totem Meneghelli Gallery, Johannesburg

Notes

Twin figures are carved out of wood and can depict one twin, a set of twins, or a set of triplets. They are usually commissioned from a sculptor by the twins’ mother so that if a twin dies, the parents will have a small figure to take his or her place in their memory. The figures are clothed, bathed, fed, and carried from place to place. It is the mother who primarily cares for the twin images, then other relatives if she passes away. The figures do not actually look like children, however, as they possess features of adults such as appropriate genitalia and intricate hairstyles and may wear shoes, trousers and other objects. Twins are considered to be immortal. From birth on they are considered to be gods or spirits, and must always get special care.