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Lot Essay
Chez les Dan, la propriétaire de la cuiller est appelée wa ke de, ce qui signifie « femme qui agit lors des festins ». Ce titre prestigieux est attribué à la femme la plus hospitalière du village. Toutefois, cet honneur s’accompagne de responsabilités : la wa ke de doit organiser le grand festin qui accompagne les cérémonies de mascarade. Cet événement crée une puissante analogie visuelle qui honore l’hôtesse et, plus largement, les femmes en tant que source de nourriture et de vie.
Cette cuiller est attribuée à Zlan de Belewale, l’un des sculpteurs les plus célèbres de la région. Zlan était en réalité un sculpteur Wé qui a travaillé pour de nombreux commanditaires issus de diverses communautés ethniques au milieu du XXe siècle. Son œuvre fait partie de nombreuses collections muséales dont celles du New Orleans Museum of Art (inv. n° 77.277), du Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. n° 1979.206.254) ou encore du Museum Rietberg (inv. n° 2022.4). À ce jour, une dizaine de cuillers lui sont attribuées, étant reconnues comme des chefs-d'œuvre de sculpture.
Among the Dan people, the owner of the spoon is called wa ke de, which means "woman who acts during feasts". This prestigious title is awarded to the most hospitable woman in the village. However, this honor comes with responsibilities: the wa ke de must organize the grand feast that accompanies masquerade ceremonies. This event creates a powerful visual analogy that honors the hostess and, more broadly, women as a source of nourishment and life.
This spoon is attributed to Zlan of Belewale, one of the most renowned sculptors in the region. Zlan was actually a Wé sculptor who worked for numerous patrons from various ethnic communities in the mid-20th century. His work is part of many museum collections, including those of the New Orleans Museum of Art (inv. no. 77.277), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. no. 1979.206.254), and the Museum Rietberg (inv. no. 2022.4). As of today, about ten spoons are attributed to him, being recognized as masterpieces of sculpture.
Cette cuiller est attribuée à Zlan de Belewale, l’un des sculpteurs les plus célèbres de la région. Zlan était en réalité un sculpteur Wé qui a travaillé pour de nombreux commanditaires issus de diverses communautés ethniques au milieu du XXe siècle. Son œuvre fait partie de nombreuses collections muséales dont celles du New Orleans Museum of Art (inv. n° 77.277), du Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. n° 1979.206.254) ou encore du Museum Rietberg (inv. n° 2022.4). À ce jour, une dizaine de cuillers lui sont attribuées, étant reconnues comme des chefs-d'œuvre de sculpture.
Among the Dan people, the owner of the spoon is called wa ke de, which means "woman who acts during feasts". This prestigious title is awarded to the most hospitable woman in the village. However, this honor comes with responsibilities: the wa ke de must organize the grand feast that accompanies masquerade ceremonies. This event creates a powerful visual analogy that honors the hostess and, more broadly, women as a source of nourishment and life.
This spoon is attributed to Zlan of Belewale, one of the most renowned sculptors in the region. Zlan was actually a Wé sculptor who worked for numerous patrons from various ethnic communities in the mid-20th century. His work is part of many museum collections, including those of the New Orleans Museum of Art (inv. no. 77.277), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. no. 1979.206.254), and the Museum Rietberg (inv. no. 2022.4). As of today, about ten spoons are attributed to him, being recognized as masterpieces of sculpture.