**Originally Listed At $300**

Western Africa, Nigeria, Igbo peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A lovely hand-carved wooden spoon with a finely-detailed face on the handle, perhaps representative of an ancestor. Encompassed by an undulating border, the scoop is adorned with a chalky white pigment, hence the name "chalk spoon", and black painted details. A thick, cylindrical handle conjoins both the scoop and anthropomorphic finial, and a parabolic metal suspension bar is secured on top. The intriguing visage displays full lips held slightly open in a gentle smile, a triangular nose, and bulging, almond-shaped eyes surrounded by thick lashes beneath arched brows. Capped by a thick head of hair, the figure displays a shaved hairline, which accentuates his tall forehead, and lengthy sideburns. Size: 5.25" W x 13.625" H (13.3 cm x 34.6 cm)

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#130644

Chip to nose and proper left ear. Abrasions to periphery of scoop and versos of handle and scoop. Expected surface wear with nicks and scratches, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina, lovely earthen deposits, and good remaining pigments.