Ivory Coast, Dan Spoon

John J. Klejman, New York
Stanley Marcus, Dallas, acquired from the above in 1965
Sotheby's, New York, A Passion for Collecting: the Eye of Stanley Marcus, 16 November 2002, lot 19
Private Collection, acquired at the above auction

Good overall condition. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. There is a chip to the top right of the bowl of the spoon, as visible in the catalogue photos. There is a small chip in the centre of the front of the neck and a hairline crack running up between the legs, about 1 inch on each side. The right foot has been broken and repaired.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This sculpture-spoon extols with great elegance the Dan's idealized canons of female beauty. A mark of the dignity of the wunkirle — the most hospitable woman in the village— this ceremonial feast spoon, formed as an abstract female figure, is a symbol of her generosity and her talents (Fischer and Himmelheber in Falgayrettes-Leveau, Cuillers Sculptures, 1991, p. 73-88). The spoon allows the hostess of the feast to communicate with the ancestral spirits. The perfect balance of the pose emphasizes both the firmness of the curves and the elegance of the silhouette and its dynamic lines. The artist has paid particular attention to the connection points, resulting in a beautiful flow of volumes and outlines, both in the treatment of the body and in the transition between the sections of the handle and the grooves of the bowl.