GothamGallery Fine African Art - Liberia Dan Wunkirmian Ceremonial Feast Ladle D

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GothamGallery Fine African Art - Liberia Dan Wunkirmian Ceremonial Feast Ladle D:
$480.00

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Fine African Liberia Dan Wunkirmian Feast Ladle Sculpture

Inches: Height: 21.5 Inches
Centimeters: Height: 54.5 Centimeters
Measurements Sculpture With Stand: 28.5 Inches / 72.5 Centimeters
Material: Wood
Estimated Age: Early 20th Century
Condition: Good
Remarks: Highly stylized ceremonial spoon with figure head motif varied dark patina

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CONDITIONWood deterioration, worn areas, age cracks, tribally repaired area bottom of spoon, overall condition good. Thank you and please view my other items.BACKGROUNDDan people live in the western part of the West Coast and into Liberia where the land is forested in the south and bordered by savannah in the north. They make their living from framing cocoa, rice and manioc. Before unifying secret societies were set up at the turn of the century, each Dan village was an autonomous socio-political unit governed by a chief elected on the base of his wealth and social position. Slaves were finally emancipated in the USA, after centuries of brutal oppression and exploitation. Some of these people came back to Africa and live in present day Liberia. Although they still practiced some of the traditions, they were a mixed group of people that practiced different customs. Neighboring tribes mainly from the Ivoory Coast influenced them and the dominant Dan tribe took root in Liberia. Today, the leopard society acts as a major regular of Dan life and initiates young men during their isolated periods of three to four months in the forest. Artists in Dan communities of the Guinea coast have mastered the art of carving impressive, large wooden spoons thatare virtuoso works of sculpture. The spoons are known by many names, including wake mia or wunkirmian, whichroughly 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 andoften 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 thatis given to the most hospitable woman of the village. With the honor, however, comes responsibility—the wa ke de mustprepare the large feast that accompanies masquerade ceremonies. The excellent farming abilities, organizationaltalents, 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 largespoon as an emblem of her status. On the day of the feast, she dances around the village dressed in men\'s clothesbecause \"only men are taken seriously.\" She carries with her a wunkirmian and displays a bowl filled with small coins orrice. With help from her numerous assistants (usually female relatives or friends), she distributes grains and coins to thechildren of the community while dancing and singing her special shrill song. The deep belly of the spoon from which thisbounty is dispensed becomes the symbolic body or womb of the female figure. The event creates a profound visualanalogy 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 withthe power of the spirit world and a symbol of that connection. Among the Dan, the wunkirmian have been assigned arole among women that is comparable to that which masks serve among the men. In many instances, wunkirmian arefeatured in the same ceremonies with masks, tossing rice in front of them as a blessing while they proceed through thevillage.Painter Fred Uhlman words - Most of the artists I admired, Picasso, Modigliani, Deraini, to mention only a few, had collected African art and had been profoundly influenced by it. Shortly afterwards I bought the Baule Fetish and the Baule bobbin which are still two of the finest pieces in my collection. It is easy to see why I bought them and why from that moment I have never stopped collecting. The head of the bobbin or heddle - pulley which is after all only a functional object for the purpose of weaving seemed to me then and today as beautiful as a Greek goddess. The fetish moved me as deeply as the bobbin by its silent tragic dignity and its air of profound meditation.GUARANTEEAUTHENTICITY AND CONDITION OF ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO THEIR DESCRIPTION AND PICTURES.QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR MORE DETAIL PICTURES.SHIPPINGSHIPPING VIA USPS PARCEL POST OR FEDEX GROUND UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. OTHER SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. INTERNATIONAL VIA USPS PRIORITY MAIL -SHIPPING COST PLEASE INQUIRE.COMBINED SHIPPING: SHIPPING IS ALWAYS COMBINED WHEN POSSIBLE, UNLESS THE PIECE IS TOO LARGE OR DELICATE.SHIPPING TIME: ITEM(S) ARE CAREFULLY PACKAGED AND SHIPPED OUT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF PAYMENT. PACKING FRAGILE ART ITEM NEEDS CAREFUL ATTENTION AND WILL NEVER BE FAST, BUT WE DO OUT BEST TO MAKE SURE IT WILL ARRIVE FOR YOU SAFELY. IF YOU NEED THE ITEM QUICKLY PLEASE EMAIL FIRST FOR ARRANGEMENT.PAYMENTPAYMENT ACCEPTED - PAYPAL.