Bambara statuette, Mali. Flanitokele statuette representing a twin figure. These statuettes were carved to worship deceased twins. They were kept by the father, mother or surviving twin, who then became responsible for the Nyama, the spirit of the deceased twin. Twins were considered to have extraordinary positive powers. This statuette shows a robed body standing on 2 legs with marked knees. The body is adorned with ritual scarification marks. Provenance: former French collection. Certificate from the Lucas Ratton gallery, Paris. Height: 29 cm