Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Feast Ladle (Wunkermian)

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Feast Ladle (Wunkermian)

The Dan produce elaborate, beautifully carved spoons. Though these are occasionally used to distribute food at large feasts, the spoons serve primarily as symbols of a woman's respected position in her community. The carved head of a woman on the handle sometimes depicts the owner but more often is a stylized image of the Dan ideal of feminine beauty: pointed oval face, high forehead, narrow eyes, thin nose ridge with flaring nostrils, and full mouth. The hairstyle refers to the special grooming of persons high status.

• Culture: Dan
• Medium: Wood
• Place Made: Liberia
• Dates: late 19th-early 20th century
• Dimensions: 22 7/16 x 5 3/8 x 6 1/2 in. (57 x 13.7 x 16.5 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 67.209.1
• Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger
• Image: 3/4, 67.209.1_threequarter_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
Dan. Feast Ladle (Wunkermian), late 19th-early 20th century. Wood, 22 7/16 x 5 3/8 x 6 1/2 in. (57 x 13.7 x 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger, 67.209.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.209.1_threequarter_PS2.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Carved handle in shape of face and neck. Face has typical Dan features: vertical scarification mark at forehead, crescent eyebrows, slit eyes, partially opened mouth with teeth exposed. Three metal studs at forehead. Headdress with 3 flat projecting elements and below vertically incised raised and depressed areas. Thick, slightly rounded neck. Bowl approx. 2/3 of carving, the back of which has incised and relief carving in lozenge and parallelogram shapes. Condition: very good.