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Catalog Data

Maker:
Benin kingdom, Bini-Portuguese style  Search this
Edo artist  Search this
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.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Nigeria
Date:
16th-17th century
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.
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
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High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
bird  Search this
male  Search this
Trade  Search this
Credit Line:
Bequest of Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss
Object number:
69-20-4
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
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
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7247db08e-b0e8-4e83-ae74-3cc9d8ed79c3
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_69-20-4