Ceremonial Spoon
Sa’dan Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia Early 20th century
Provenance: Irwin Hersey collection, NYC inv. id 258.
Acquired by Hersey at Christies, London, 1983
This rice spoon is very similar to the one conserved in the Metropolitan Museum, from the Fred and Rita Richman collection (accession no. 1988.143.136). One can admire the economy of means with its minimal and pure lines, combined with noble materials: the wooden spoon is inlaid with buffalo horn. The wood is nicely aged with a dark patina, suggesting usage over a long period of time. The Toraja of Sulawesi are renowned for their refined woodcraft, simple, elegant and with a scarcity of ornaments. This very modern, somewhat minimal artistry produces beautiful cups, large rice bowls (dulong) and rice spoons, which this piece is a fine example.
Ceremonial Spoon
Sa’dan Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia Early 20th century
Provenance: Irwin Hersey collection, NYC inv. id 258. Acquired by Hersey at Christies, London, 1983
This rice spoon is very similar to the one conserved in the Metropolitan Museum, from the Fred and Rita Richman collection (accession no. 1988.143.136). One can admire the economy of means with its minimal and pure lines, combined with noble materials: the wooden spoon is inlaid with buffalo horn. The wood is nicely aged with a dark patina, suggesting usage over a long period of time. The Toraja of Sulawesi are renowned for their refined woodcraft, simple, elegant and with a scarcity of ornaments. This very modern, somewhat minimal artistry produces beautiful cups, large rice bowls (dulong) and rice spoons, which this piece is a fine example.