CUILLER GOURO
A GURO SPOON
In addition to the regular Buyer’s premium, a comm… Read more
CUILLER GOUROA GURO SPOON

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Details
CUILLER GOURO
A GURO SPOON
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Longueur : 21.6 cm. (8 ½ in.)
Provenance
Collection Pierre Matisse (1900-1989), New York
Pierre-Noël Matisse, Paris, transmise par descendance familiale
Transmise par descendance familiale jusqu'à l'actuel propriétaire
Special notice
In addition to the regular Buyer’s premium, a commission of 5.5% inclusive of VAT of the hammer price will be charged to the buyer. It will be refunded to the Buyer upon proof of export of the lot outside the European Union within the legal time limit. (Please refer to section VAT refunds)

Brought to you by

Victor Teodorescu
Victor Teodorescu Head of Department

Lot Essay

La plupart des Gouro utilisaient leurs doigts pour manger. La cuiller était utilisée exclusivement par les anciens et les chefs de village. Elles étaient un attribut du statut social et un insigne de prestige. L’extrémité du manche est ornée d’une tête d’animal, possiblement celle d’un buffle, ancêtre protecteur de nombreuses familles qui ne pouvaient ni les chasser, ni les manger.

While most Guro ate with their hands, chiefs and lineage elders used certain markers of distinction to heighten their prestige. Among these were spoons, whose main purpose was one of ostentation, for they were the sign of their owner’s social status. The head sculpted at the end of the handle possibly represents a bush-cow. This animal was very common in the Guro region and was the protective ancestor of many families, who could not kill nor eat them.

More from Splendors - Chefs-d'oeuvre d'Afrique, d'Amérique du Nord et d'Océanie

View All
View All