Big ceremonial spoon "wa ke mia" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3041866

Description

wood, dark brown patina, the handle carved with janiform zoomorphic head, incised ornaments on the backside, min. dam., fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
part of the belongings of a “wunkirle”, a married highly esteemed woman of the village. The big spoons are signs of dignity, they were exclusively used for the ritual carrying of rice. The “wunkirle” had to prepare meals for feasts in the circumcision camps as well as on great days and for every visitor of the village. In order to meet this demand she needs a helping spirit, which is manifested in the big spoon “wa ke mia”.

The object Big ceremonial spoon “wa ke mia” with the object ID 3041866 was last part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction at March 4, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 183.

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Comparing literature

Cuillers sculptures, Paris 1990-1991, p. 88 Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Löffel in der Kunst Afrikas, Zürich 1990, p. 30

Publications

AHDRC: 0139794