Dan / Wè Wobé Ceremonial Spoon, African Art
£2,100
Shopping at Vinterior
- 14 days return guarantee
- Outstanding customer service
- Secure payment
- Service fee
- Trees planted for every purchase
for your next pre-owned find?
Item details
Height
47.0 cm
Width
12.0 cm
Depth
5.0 cm
Wear conditions
Good
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
Anthropomorphic Ladle
Dan or Wè-Wobé
Ivory Coast
Wood, metal
On a customised stand
Provenance:
Private collection, France
Most likely by the same hand as a Dan spoon auctioned by Christie's, Paris, 11 December 2007, Lot 27
Artists in Dan communities of the Guinea coast have mastered the art of carving impressive, large wooden spoons that
are virtuoso works of sculpture. The spoons are known by many names, including wake mia or wunkirmian, which
roughly translates as "spoon associated with feasts." The spoons range in size from a foot to two feet and have one or
(rarely) two parallel bowls. The handle of the spoon is always decorated and often is related to the human form and
often feature a pair of legs like this example.
Among the Dan, the owner of the spoon is called wa ke de, "at feasts acting woman." It is a title of great distinction that
is given to the most hospitable woman of the village. With the honor, however, comes responsibility—the wa ke de must
prepare the large feast that accompanies masquerade ceremonies. The excellent farming abilities, organizational
talents, and culinary skills of the wa ke de are called upon to properly welcome and celebrate the masquerade spirits.
When a woman has been selected as the main hostess of such a feast, she parades through town carrying the large
spoon as an emblem of her status. On the day of the feast, she dances around the village dressed in men's clothes
because "only men are taken seriously." She carries with her a wunkirmian and displays a bowl filled with small coins or
rice. With help from her numerous assistants (usually female relatives or friends), she distributes grains and coins to the
children of the community while dancing and singing her special shrill song. The deep belly of the spoon from which this
bounty is dispensed becomes the symbolic body or womb of the female figure. The event creates a profound visual
analogy that honors the hostess, and women in general, as a source of food and life.
In addition to being emblems of honor, wunkirmian also have spiritual power. They are a Dan woman's chief liaison with
the power of the spirit world and a symbol of that connection. Among the Dan, the wunkirmian have been assigned a
role among women that is comparable to that which masks serve among the men. In many instances, wunkirmian are
featured in the same ceremonies with masks, tossing rice in front of them as a blessing while they proceed through the
village.
Condition report:
Authentic antique ethnographic object
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14 days returns guarantee for orders within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Shipping worldwide is available via trusted couriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL)
Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
Yes
Similar Statues
Similar Statues
Choose a Wish List
Create Wish List
- Selling at Vinterior since 2023
- Ships from London, United Kingdom
Cancellations and Returns
Our Terms of sale were designed to treat both Customers and Vendors (including Professional Vendors and Non-Professional Vendors (as defined in the Site Terms)) fairly, in order to make the shopping/selling experience with Vinterior just as exceptional as the items.
We've extended our usual return period for the holidays. Any purchases made in December 2023 on gifting items can be returned up until 31 January 2024.
To protect our Customers from disappointment or the unexpected, we strongly encourage them to closely inspect item photos, descriptions, and details before purchasing anything on the Site, and then again upon delivery or pickup.
If the Customer is unsure about an item's condition, dimensions, quantity, or description, they can send their questions to the item’s Vendor by clicking on Ask the seller on the listing page of the Site.
Customers shall receive the same level of consumer protection on purchases irrespective of whether they are buying from a Professional Vendor or Non-Professional Vendor.
Should you have any questions regarding your transaction, please contact the Vendor in the first instance.
Can I cancel an order?
If a Customer changes their mind or decides for any other reason that they do not want to purchase the Goods before the Goods have been dispatched, they can cancel the order on the Site and receive a refund.
The right to cancel does not apply to the following types of Goods, which are non-refundable: items that are personalised, bespoke or made-to-order to the customer’s specific requirements. If in doubt, the Customer can contact the Vendor via the Site.
If the Customer cancels an order after an item has already been marked as dispatched for delivery, the costs of delivery are non-refundable.
To cancel the order, the Customer must follow the cancellation procedure on the Site by clicking on Create Cancellation on the order page.
Can I return an item?
Consumers based in the UK and European Union can request to return the Goods on Vinterior up to 14 days after the Goods have been received. Once accepted, the buyer is in charge of the shipment and should organise it as soon as possible (except in the case of a return of faulty Goods).
To initiate a return, the Customer must click on Create a return on the order page on the Site. In the return request, the reason for the return must be included along with photos of any damage of the Goods, if faulty.
As with cancellations, the right to return an item does not apply to the following types of Goods, which are non-refundable: items that are personalised, bespoke or made-to-order to the Customer’s specific requirements.
Additionally, the Customer may not return an item for "inaccurate listing” reason when its dimensions or other characteristics do not fit its requirements. We strongly recommend that buyer measures all access areas prior to making a purchase.
If in doubt, the Customer can contact the Vendor via the Site.
In case of a return, the costs of delivery (i.e., outbound delivery costs when Goods are sent from the Vendor to a Customer) are non-refundable.
The Customer is responsible for organising the return of Goods and for paying delivery costs. Once the item is returned to the Vendor in the same condition, the Vendor will confirm receipt and refund the Customer. If an item is returned to the seller damaged, or in an unsuitable condition, Vinterior will not be able to process the refund and the seller may have to send it back to you (and ask you to cover the delivery costs). All items are inspected on return.
Acting under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, customers may return faulty Goods that are damaged in transportation or the listing on the Site is materially inaccurate, misleading, or misrepresents the Goods. In these cases, the Customer must provide photographic evidence to Vinterior and the Vendor or reject the delivery on arrival.
In case of damage in transit for all items, Vinterior must be informed. Vinterior will then raise an insurance claim on behalf the Vendor with delivery company Proovia. Once the claim is resolved and any relevant decision regarding the insurance has been made, any applicable refunds will be processed.
Please note that vintage items are not sold as new and are likely to show signs of wear and tear. This is not sufficient grounds for a refund.
Vendors may refuse a return of an item if it has been altered by the Customer in any way.
Neither Vinterior nor the Vendors are liable for any damages or loss sustained in transit via third parties.
Price match guarantee
If you find the same item listed at a lower price (including delivery) elsewhere, we'll match it for you.
For further policy details click here.
Why buy on Vinterior?
- 14-day return guarantee
- Top customer service
- 100% secure payment
How it works
- Send a screenshot of the item from the other website with date and time visible.
- Send us the link of the item on Vinterior and on the other website.
- We'll check that it's the same item from the same seller.
- If eligible, Vinterior matches the price.
Successfully added to cart
0 items
Log in or register to continue
Make an offer
Item price: £2,100