SNK 1212-41 – SOLD

Mbole Spoon, DR Congo

H: 21 cm (8,3″), W: 3,7 cm (1,5″), D: 4 cm (1,6″)

This fine spoon shaped as a human figure is most likely carved by the mbole people in D.R. Congo. The Mbole are known for their figures called ofika which are characterized by their geometric features, elongated bodies and and high coiffures. These figures are used by the secret society Lilwa to which young men aspire to belong. This spoon resembles the posture of the ofika figures, but it might have been used for a different purpose. In Africa spoons play a special role in ceremonies and rituals and they are perceived as status symbols rather than being used as functional objects.

Provenance: Private Danish collection. It was either acquired directly from Lau (Laurence) Sunde’s collection in Copenhagen, which dates back to the 1940s, or Lau (Laurence) Sunde was an adviser to the collector.
Sunde had a “Etnografica” boutique in 1948, that became recognized among collectors as the most specialized boutique of its kind at the time. Tribal and oriental artefacts were purchased from private collectors as well as at auctions in Paris, Amsterdam and London, among other places.

Full description of Lau (Laurence) Sunde will be forwarded by request.

Request price for Mbole Spoon