TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    Ceremonial Anthropomorphic Spoon

    The carving on this spoon is superb and exhibits the strong
    character a tribal mother and her family. With appropriate wear
    patterns.

    The Ivory Coast tribes are famous for their unique large and finely
    sculpted wooden spoons. These large spoons have both a
    symbolic and practical function. The spoon serves as a
    messenger for social structure as the owner of the large spoon in
    a village is the woman who has distinguished herself both by her
    efficiency and her generosity. She is both responsible for the
    administration of the food for her extended family, and hospitable
    to all -family, friends and strangers. In order to reach this level the
    wakede is helped by a spirit, which incarnates in her large spoon,
    called 'the spoon spirit' (Fischer and Himmlheber, 1984: 123).

    This seemingly utilitarian object was sculpted with as much care
    as fine statues among the Dan, showing similar attention to detail.
    'The spoon represents the spirit of generosity of the person who
    received it. It is brandished during the dance of the hospitable
    women who has been given the honor of preparing the repast,
    followed by her assistants (Barbier [ed.] 1993:72).'   
        
Ethnic Group:       
    Dan Society


Country of Origin:          
    Ivory Coast


Material:          
    Wood


Dimensions:
    12"

Reference:    
    (Fischer and Himmlheber, 1984: 123).

    Sotheby s, Sale Catalogue 7390, African and Oceanic Art,
    November 19, 1999.