Baule Wood Figural Spoon, Based

A woman with an elaborate coiffure stands on the rim of the bowl, as if supervising whatever goes into it.

This figural spoon is Baule, from Ivory Coast, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved wood. Baule carvers are celebrated for refined, naturalistic figures, and ceremonial spoons with carved handles were generally prestige objects rather than everyday utensils. The handle is a standing female figure with a crested hairstyle, small side braids, a calm face and raised scarification across the torso. A carved beaded belt circles her waist, and her bent legs rest on the top of a deep oval bowl. It is 5.25 inches wide, 5 deep and 23 high.

Serving, but with standards.