Ceremonial spoon - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire
02
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18
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29
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€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Ceremonial and statuary double spoon from the Dan people of Côte d'Ivoire, carved in Bois, weight 0.390 kg, sold with stand, dimensions 370 mm high, 155 mm wide, 55 mm deep (stand 3 mm).
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Dan
Bois
Height: 370mm
Width: 155mm
Depth: 55mm + base 3mm (the base is offered, it is not part of the bid)
This piece is a ceremonial and statuary double spoon originating from the western Ivory Coast, more precisely from the Dan people (or Yacouba).
Called Wunkirmian (or Wakemia / Wakemia-de), this very specific double form constitutes a masterpiece of ceremonial art.
1. Origin and Cultural Context
Among the Dan (present in western Ivory Coast and Liberia), the carved spoons are not ordinary kitchen utensils. They are the insignia of power bestowed upon an exceptional woman called the Wunkirle (or Wadeke).
• The Wunkirle: It is the woman chosen by the village for her legendary generosity, organizational qualities, and ability to feed the community.
• Symbolism of the double scoop: Double spoons are rarer and more prestigious. The presence of two adjacent oval receptacles symbolizes doubled abundance, 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 ringed neck, reminiscent of the stylized heads or dome-like hairstyles of Dan figures.
• The central crosspiece: A slim horizontal block finely carved with geometric motifs (incised lines, grid patterns) acting as shoulders or joining piece.
• The two lower scoops: In the shape of large, clearly hollowed oval leaves. On the reverse, the backs of the scoops feature 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 the funerals of eminent elders, the Wunkirle leads the dance procession.
• Holding her Wunkirmian spoon in hand, she dances while offering handfuls of rice, grains, or offerings to villagers and visitors.
• The spoon embodies the strength of hospitality and the community’s wealth.
B. Spiritual Link (Du)
To sustain these gigantic feasts without ever running out of provisions, the Wunkirle calls upon a protective spirit (Du). The spoon serves as a receptacle for this spirit: without it, the celebration could not be a successful ritual and social event.
4. Synthesis of Symbols
Element Symbolic Meaning
Double scoop Excessive abundance, sharing, nourishing duality
Rimmed neck Prosperity, health and physical beauty
Dorsal engravings Connection with the vegetal world (leaves) and belonging scarifications
Dark patina Indication of ritual use and careful conservation
Packages are sent Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across 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 TranslateIvory Coast
Dan
Bois
Height: 370mm
Width: 155mm
Depth: 55mm + base 3mm (the base is offered, it is not part of the bid)
This piece is a ceremonial and statuary double spoon originating from the western Ivory Coast, more precisely from the Dan people (or Yacouba).
Called Wunkirmian (or Wakemia / Wakemia-de), this very specific double form constitutes a masterpiece of ceremonial art.
1. Origin and Cultural Context
Among the Dan (present in western Ivory Coast and Liberia), the carved spoons are not ordinary kitchen utensils. They are the insignia of power bestowed upon an exceptional woman called the Wunkirle (or Wadeke).
• The Wunkirle: It is the woman chosen by the village for her legendary generosity, organizational qualities, and ability to feed the community.
• Symbolism of the double scoop: Double spoons are rarer and more prestigious. The presence of two adjacent oval receptacles symbolizes doubled abundance, 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 ringed neck, reminiscent of the stylized heads or dome-like hairstyles of Dan figures.
• The central crosspiece: A slim horizontal block finely carved with geometric motifs (incised lines, grid patterns) acting as shoulders or joining piece.
• The two lower scoops: In the shape of large, clearly hollowed oval leaves. On the reverse, the backs of the scoops feature 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 the funerals of eminent elders, the Wunkirle leads the dance procession.
• Holding her Wunkirmian spoon in hand, she dances while offering handfuls of rice, grains, or offerings to villagers and visitors.
• The spoon embodies the strength of hospitality and the community’s wealth.
B. Spiritual Link (Du)
To sustain these gigantic feasts without ever running out of provisions, the Wunkirle calls upon a protective spirit (Du). The spoon serves as a receptacle for this spirit: without it, the celebration could not be a successful ritual and social event.
4. Synthesis of Symbols
Element Symbolic Meaning
Double scoop Excessive abundance, sharing, nourishing duality
Rimmed neck Prosperity, health and physical beauty
Dorsal engravings Connection with the vegetal world (leaves) and belonging scarifications
Dark patina Indication of ritual use and careful conservation
Packages are sent Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across 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
