tall spoon with long bowl; human head with flat face, vertical ridge at center of forehead; rings around neck

Spoon, 20th century

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Woodexpand_more

Gift of N. Bud and Beverly Grossmanexpand_more  2000.201

Not on Viewexpand_more

The Bassa are a cultural group related to the better known Dan people who reside along the coastal areas of Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. They typically live in farming villages of about 200 residents and raise staple crops of rice and cassava. As in many traditional African societies, the Bassa and Dan cultures celebrate important religious and social occasions in a communal fashion with rituals, dancing and feasting. The people of the village are responsible for entertaining their guests and providing food for them. Women who have earned a reputation for their unselfish support of these events are often presented with a spoon of this type, known as a "most generous woman spoon." The women then use them to serve rice and other grain dishes to people at public festivities.

Details
Title
Spoon
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2000.201
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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tall spoon with long bowl; human head with flat face, vertical ridge at center of forehead; rings around neck