English: Ceremonial spoon, Wee peoples, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, Late 19th to mid-20th century, Wood, metal, oil patina

The Wee and other neighboring peoples honor the woman who can feed her household and accommodate, with a generous hand, unexpected visitors, traveling musicians and seasonal farm workers. The emblem of her achievement is a specially carved ceremonial spoon that may be a generalized portrait of the owner. On special occasions she holds the spoon as she dances with attendants. As in many African cultures, beauty is linked with moral values-in this case, hard work. The success of the woman also reflects the hard work and achievement of her husband, who supports her generosity.

(National Museum of African Art)