Ceremonial spoon ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3037072

Description

wood, partly oily dark brown patina, large oval ladle surmounted by an anthropomorphic head with fine carved facial features and strong horns, min. dam., small missing parts, traces of usage, 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 Ceremonial spoon with the object ID 3037072 was part of the auction 77th tribal art auction on June 28, 2014. The object with the lot number 200 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,500 with an asking price of EUR 3,000.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Cuillers sculptures, Paris 1990-1991, p. 88

Publications

Lempertz Bulletin, Germany 2009, p. 36