Ceremonial spoon - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
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Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Ceremonial and statuary double wooden spoon from the Dan people of western Côte d'Ivoire, carved in wood with stand, height 370 mm, width 155 mm, depth 55 mm (stand 3 mm), weight 0.390 kg, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Dan
Bois
Height: 370mm
Width: 155mm
Depth: 55mm + base 3mm (the base is included, it is not part of the auction)
This piece is a ceremonial and statuesque double spoon from the western Côte d'Ivoire, more precisely from the Dan people (or Yacouba).
Called Wunkirmian (or Wakemia / Wakemia-de), this highly specific double form constitutes a masterpiece of ceremonial art.
1. Origin and Cultural Context
Among the Dan (present in the west of Côte d'Ivoire and in Liberia), sculpted spoons are not ordinary household utensils. They are insignia of power awarded to an exceptional woman called the Wunkirle (or Wadeke).
• The Wunkirle: It is the woman elected by the village for her legendary generosity, organizational qualities, and ability to feed the community.
• Symbolism of the double spoon head: Double spoons are rarer and more prestigious. The presence of two side-by-side oval receptacles symbolizes abundance multiplied, the ability to serve multiple dishes (often rice and meat) or to feed two groups/families simultaneously during major community events.
2. Aesthetic and Structural Analysis
The spoon follows an anthropomorphic and geometrically balanced scheme:
• The summit (the head): The upper end forms a circular/discoidal receptacle mounted on a beaded neck, reminiscent of the stylized heads or dome-shaped hairstyles of Dan figures.
• The central crossbar: A fine horizontal block finely engraved with geometric motifs (incised lines, grids) acting as shoulders or junction piece.
• The two lower spoon bowls: In the shape of large oval, highly hollowed leaves. On the reverse, the back of the spoon bowls features engravings with fishbone edges / leaf veins, characteristic of Dan incised decorations.
3. Ritual Use and Symbolic Function
A. The Dance of Generosity
During major village celebrations, harvest festivals, or funerals of eminent elders, the Wunkirle leads the dancing procession.
• Carrying her Wunkirmian spoon in hand, she dances while offering handfuls of rice, cereals, or food to villagers and visitors.
• The spoon embodies the strength of hospitality and the community's wealth.
B. Spiritual Connection (Du)
To successfully achieve these gigantic feasts without ever running out of food, the Wunkirle calls on a protective spirit (Du). The spoon serves as a receptacle for this spirit: without it, the celebration could not be a ritual and social success.
4. Synthesis of Symbols
Element Symbolic Meaning
Double spoon head Desmesured abundance, sharing, nourishing duality
Beaded neck Prosperity, health and physical beauty
Dorsal engravings Link with the vegetal world (leaves) and belonging scarifications
Dark patina Sign of ritual use and careful conservation
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Dan
Bois
Height: 370mm
Width: 155mm
Depth: 55mm + base 3mm (the base is included, it is not part of the auction)
This piece is a ceremonial and statuesque double spoon from the western Côte d'Ivoire, more precisely from the Dan people (or Yacouba).
Called Wunkirmian (or Wakemia / Wakemia-de), this highly specific double form constitutes a masterpiece of ceremonial art.
1. Origin and Cultural Context
Among the Dan (present in the west of Côte d'Ivoire and in Liberia), sculpted spoons are not ordinary household utensils. They are insignia of power awarded to an exceptional woman called the Wunkirle (or Wadeke).
• The Wunkirle: It is the woman elected by the village for her legendary generosity, organizational qualities, and ability to feed the community.
• Symbolism of the double spoon head: Double spoons are rarer and more prestigious. The presence of two side-by-side oval receptacles symbolizes abundance multiplied, the ability to serve multiple dishes (often rice and meat) or to feed two groups/families simultaneously during major community events.
2. Aesthetic and Structural Analysis
The spoon follows an anthropomorphic and geometrically balanced scheme:
• The summit (the head): The upper end forms a circular/discoidal receptacle mounted on a beaded neck, reminiscent of the stylized heads or dome-shaped hairstyles of Dan figures.
• The central crossbar: A fine horizontal block finely engraved with geometric motifs (incised lines, grids) acting as shoulders or junction piece.
• The two lower spoon bowls: In the shape of large oval, highly hollowed leaves. On the reverse, the back of the spoon bowls features engravings with fishbone edges / leaf veins, characteristic of Dan incised decorations.
3. Ritual Use and Symbolic Function
A. The Dance of Generosity
During major village celebrations, harvest festivals, or funerals of eminent elders, the Wunkirle leads the dancing procession.
• Carrying her Wunkirmian spoon in hand, she dances while offering handfuls of rice, cereals, or food to villagers and visitors.
• The spoon embodies the strength of hospitality and the community's wealth.
B. Spiritual Connection (Du)
To successfully achieve these gigantic feasts without ever running out of food, the Wunkirle calls on a protective spirit (Du). The spoon serves as a receptacle for this spirit: without it, the celebration could not be a ritual and social success.
4. Synthesis of Symbols
Element Symbolic Meaning
Double spoon head Desmesured abundance, sharing, nourishing duality
Beaded neck Prosperity, health and physical beauty
Dorsal engravings Link with the vegetal world (leaves) and belonging scarifications
Dark patina Sign of ritual use and careful conservation
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Ceremonial spoon
Ethnic group/ culture
Dan
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Weight
0.39 kg
Sold by
