Dan Ceremonial Spoon Cote d'Ivoire

Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.

Damage/Repair: Chipped scoop edge

Elaborate spoons, sometimes in the shape of female figures, or with faces, were awarded to women known as wunkirile who had been judged by their peers and elders of their village to be the most generous and hospitable to others of their village quarter. Spoon-shaped carvings such as this are best described as feast ladles used by their owner to offer food to others during public feasts. Known as 'wunkirmian' this spoon with a head as a handle displays undeniably Dan features like the ornate headdress, slim eyes and lips, and concave brow.