Dan spoon figure/ceremonial ladle

Place of OriginPossibly Liberia

Date20th century

Dimensions22 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 2 1/4 in. (57.2 × 11.4 × 5.7 cm)

MediumWood with black paint.

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of the Popplestone Family

Object number

2006.70

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 01

Label TextAmong the Dan people, the most hospitable woman in a village is honored with the title Wunkirle (“Feast-Making Woman”). She is in charge of preparing the feast that accompanies masquerade ceremonies and is famous for her farming expertise, management skill, and cooking talent. Famous sculptors carve large ceremonial spoons like this one to serve as Wunkirle’s connection with the spirit world. On feast days she dances with the spoon in the middle of a chorus of women and, when the food is ready, uses it to serve generous portions. The spoon and the feast together honor women as the source of food and life.Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Student Curators Present: African Art, April 27-July 24, 2012 (Hitchcock Gallery).