Fine Dan Anthropomorphic Spoon, Côte d'Ivoire
wunkirmian
Wood, pigment
Height 17 3/4in (45cm)

Provenance
Michael Oliver, New York
Virginia Private Collection, acquired from the above in December 1981

A elegant example of the majestic ladles carved by the Dan artists for women as emblems of honor and containers of spiritual power, with rounded buttocks and legs slightly bent at the knees, resting on flat feet; each calf decorated with two raised linear horizontal lines; fine shiny dark brown patina with slight wear at the tip of the spoon indicative of ceremonial use.

Old loss to right foot; small chip to back of left foot; minor age distress lines, nicks, abrasions and wear consistent with age. Custom base.