Ceremonial Spoon (Bwami)

Unknown

19th–20th century · Ivory · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

The Lega equate ivory with the indestructible essence of the human body and use it to illustrate the concepts of permanence and continuity. These small sculptures were displayed at the final phase of initiation into the Bwami society. Whether in the form of human figures, heads, or tools such as spoons, knives, hammers, and billhooks, they represent the proverbs through which Bwami ideals are taught.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–20th century

Medium

Ivory

Culture

Lega or Boa peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1968