H x W x D: 21.9 x 4.8 x 1.3 cm (8 5/8 x 1 7/8 x 1/2 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Early to mid-20th century
Label Text:
Precolonial Lega society was governed by Bwami, a graded association open to all men and women in a given village. Bwami was also an educational system through which esteemed Lega values were taught. Above all, Bwami conveyed prestige, and its activities were the sole impetus for the visual arts.
Spoons carved in a variety of forms from elephant ivory and bone were Bwami status symbols and initiation devices. These spoons were never used for ordinary eating purposes. Instead, they were used symbolically, for "feeding" a kindi elder during a ritual.
Description:
Ivory spoon with lozenge shaped handle, knob end and asymmetrical oval spoon bowl. Spoon has overall dark honey color and a dot motif at the center of the handle.
Provenance:
Eliot Elisofon, New York, -- to 1973
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
