This ritual spoon from the Dan region of Man in western Ivory Coast combines utilitarian object, status symbol, and cultic sculpture in a distinctive formal language, one that within Dan society is particularly associated with female hospitality and social prestige. Such ceremonial spoons were often awarded to women who had distinguished themselves through generosity and organizational importance within communal celebrations. The spoon head is designed as a stylized face, combining functional form with an anthropomorphic presence. The grooved neck serves both as a handle and as a connecting element between the head and body. The slightly bent, sturdy legs lend the figure a dynamic tension, while the meticulously crafted feet and the sculpted buttocks emphasize its affinity with figurative sculpture. Damage to individual toes, as well as other nicks and signs of wear, point to its age, handling, and ritual use. The ornamental design on the back deserves special attention. The decorative border encircling the neck, as well as the floral motifs that extend along the neck and culminate in a flower-like form, testify to a high level of craftsmanship and a pronounced appreciation of decorative surfaces within Dan art. The fine patina and visible signs of wear suggest many years of use in ceremonial and representative contexts. Literature (Selection) Jaenicke-Njoya archive CAB49055 Fischer, Eberhard: Dan Masks in Performance. Zurich 1976. Himmelheber, Hans: The Art of the Dan. Stuttgart 1960. Cole, Herbert M.: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington D.C. 1989. Vandenhoute, Claude: Art et société Dan. Brussels 1970. This description is made with AI. Despite careful individual review, the use of Artificial Intelligence may result in errors or inaccuracies in the description.