Spoon ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3042062

Description

bone, flat ladle, thorn-like projections on both sides of the handle, min. dam., small missing parts (handle), slight traces of usage, base;
spoons seem to emphasize continuity, perhaps through reference to feeding and growth. Older men who are high-level members of “bwami” eat with an ivory spoon, reminding those watching of their status and value to the community. Spoons are also used in circumcision rites. Men place an ivory spoon in the mouth of a young boy for him to bite on during his circumcision.

The object Spoon with the object ID 3042062 was part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction on March 4, 2017. The object with the lot number 390 achieved a sales price of EUR 5,200 with an asking price of EUR 3,000.

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Comparing literature

Winizki, Ernst, Afrikanische Löffel, Zürich 1990, ill. 66