Spoon

Object Details

Benin kingdom, Bini-Portuguese style

Edo artist

Label Text

Even with its broken beak, this luminous ivory spoon seems to exemplify age and tradition. It was, however, actually created during a time of great change and innovation in Benin art and culture.

Ivory spoons, saltcellars and hunting horns featuring European subjects were made for export. Edo artists brought local techniques and fine craftsmanship to the creation of objects and motifs for the foreign market. The bird on this spoon, however, with its outspread wings resembles those in traditional Benin art-the large birds that crowned the tower roofs of the king's (oba) palace and the bird found on gongs. The bird symbolizes the overwhelming spiritual and military power of Oba Esigie (c.1550).

Description

Ivory duckfooted spoon surmounted by bird with outspread wings and large open eyes. Beak is broken off.

Provenance

Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, Washington, D.C., before 1966 to 1969

Exhibition History

Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing

Treasures 2008, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., April 9-August 24, 2008

The Ancient West African City of Benin, A.D. 1300-1897, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., September 28, 1987-June 1, 2004

History, Context, Materials: Selections from the Permanent Collection of the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 12, 1985-January 5, 1986

Thinking with Animals, African Images and Perceptions, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., March 24-September 7, 1982

Art of the Mende, University of Maryland Art Gallery, College Park, MD, March 18-April 19, 1974; Museum of Art, University of Iowa, May 1-June 5, 1974; Newport Harbor Art Museum, Newport Beach, CA, June 18-July 20, 1974; University Art Museum, University of Texas, Austin, September 1-October 13, 1974

African Art in Washington Collections, Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., May 25, 1972-January 1, 1973

The Language of African Art, Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution Fine Arts & Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., May 24-September 7, 1970, no. 291

Published References

Cook, Karen. 1973. "The Museum of African Art." African Arts 6 (3), p. 25 (right).

Hornbeck, Stephanie. 2016. "Ivory: I dentification and Regulation of a Precious Material." National Museum of African Art Conservation Lab publication. pp.1-2.

Eyo, Ekpo. 2008. From Shrines to Shocases: Masterpieces of Nigerian Art. Abuja, Nigeria: The Ministry of Information and Communicaton, p. 110, no. 65.

Falgayrettes, Christiane (ed). 1991. Cuillers-Sculptures. Paris: Editions Dapper, p. 54.

Freyer, Bryna. 1987. Royal Benin Art in the Collection of the National Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Press, pp. 58-59, no. 21.

Hommel, William L. 1974. Art of the Mende. College Park: University of Maryland Art Gallery, no. 72.

Museum of African Art. 1970. The Language of African Art: A Guest Exhibition of the Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian Institution Fine Arts & Portrait Gallery Building. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, no. 291.

Museum of African Art. 1972. African Art in Washington Collections: A Loan Exhibition at the Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: Museum of African Art, p. 18, no. 72.

Park, Edwards. 1983. Treasures of the Smithsonian. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books, p. 391.

Patton, Sharon F. and Bryna Freyer. 2008. Treasures 2008. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 72-73.

Robbins, Warren. 1966. African Art in American Collections. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, p. 76, no. 57.

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Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss

16th-17th century

Object number

69-20-4

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Ivory

Dimensions

H x W x D: 16.5 x 4.8 x 3.2 cm (6 1/2 x 1 7/8 x 1 1/4 in.)

Geography

Nigeria

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Exhibition

Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts

On View

NMAfA, Second Level Concourse

NMAfA, Second Level Gallery (2193)

National Museum of African Art

Topic

bird

male

Trade

Record ID

nmafa_69-20-4

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7247db08e-b0e8-4e83-ae74-3cc9d8ed79c3