Object Details
Maker
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.
Homburger, Lorenz (ed). 1991. Spoons in African Art. Zurich: Museum Rietberg, fig. 3, p. 14.
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
Date
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)
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
bird
male
Trade
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_69-20-4