Fourchette cérémonielle · Îles Fidji · ID: 3051754
German Private Collection, Munich
Description
wood, old collection label “Fiji 87”
These forks were used by high-ranking individuals who, as living representations of gods, could not handle food. These men were often fed by attendants who carefully placed consecrated flesh in the person’s mouth, avoiding any contact with his lips.
These objects were taboo to commoners because they had been in contact with sanctified fingers; they were kept as holy relics in the “bure kalou”, spirit house (according to Kaeppler, p. 225).
In earlier times, they were often referred to as “cannibal forks” because they were supposedly used by priests or chiefs when eating human flesh.
L’objet Fourchette cérémonielle avec l’ID d’objet 3051754 a fait partie de la vente aux enchères Vente aux enchères 104 dans 12 avril 2025. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 221 a atteint un prix de vente de 900 € pour un prix d’adjudication de 800 €.
Vous trouverez ici d’autres objets et des informations utiles sur le thème Art océanien.
Littérature comparée
Kaeppler, Adrienne, Polynesia, Honolulu 2010, p. 225, ill. 61