Zlan or Sra, probable carver

Anthropomorphic Rice Ladle with Janus Head Handle (wunkirmian or wa ke mia)

n.d.

Category
Culture
Dan
Place Made
Liberia or Côte d'Ivoire
Materials
Wood, fiber, iron
Measurements
27 x 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 in (68.58 x 16.51 x 11.43 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Victor K. Kiam
Accession #
77.277
Description

A large scooped vessel with a pointed tip and geometric decoration on the verso. Its handle is made of a Janus head, resting atop a cylindrical neck. Both heads have protruding lips with metal teeth inserts. There is a crested ridge on the forehead of one of the faces. Both have thin eye slits, and are surmounted by a crested hairdo from ear to ear with woven fiber attachment at one side.