Feast Ladle (Wunkermian)
Arts of Africa
Hospitality is an important virtue in many African societies. Among the Dan, the woman with the greatest reputation for hospitality is known as a wunkerle. On public occasions, she carries a spoon known as a wunkermian as a staff of office.
MEDIUM
Wood, metal
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)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
67.209.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger
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.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Dan. Feast Ladle (Wunkermian), late 19th–early 20th century. Wood, metal, 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. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.209.1_threequarter_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE
threequarter, 67.209.1_threequarter_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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