West Africa, Cote d'Ivoire or Liberia, Dan peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A large, dark, wooden ceremonial ladle (wakemia or wunkirmian, "spoon associated with feasts"), with a handle in the shape of a janus-headed personage comprised of back-to-back miniature passport maskettes with decorative twisted copper wire bands applied between them, upon a cylindrical shaft with a carved spiraled edge and a flat lower handle incised with stylized geometric motifs and highlighted with complementary red and black hues. The ownership of these ladles showed the prestige of individual women in the society, symbolic of their generosity. Custom stand. Size: 11.625" L (29.5 cm); 12.625" H (32.1 cm) on stand

Personal passport maskettes created by the Dan peoples have traditionally served as a talismans, replete with features characteristic of Dan masks including a concave face, high-domed forehead, upturned nose, protruding mouth, and pointed chin.

Provenance: Alan Davis collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#121393

Minor scratches and nicks to lower handle. Losses to area between maskettes and metal decoration.