Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Timor Island, Tetum, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An impressive pair of spoons, each skillfully carved from the horn of a buffalo to present a shallow, ovoid bowl and a lengthy, curved stem or handle adorned with an elaborate, openwork decoration. Enveloped in a rich hue of mocha, the larger spoon exhibits an intricate handle comprised of 6 stylized birds arranged in pairs with a circular grip at the center and a triangular tip at the top. Alternatively, the sienna-colored example has a handle oriented to be viewed from the sides and displays the openwork motif of an abstract, dragon-like figure with 4 legs, a lengthy neck, raised wings, and a sinuous tail capped by a large bird head shown in profile with a sizeable, curved beak and high crest. Size of largest: 8.1" L x 2.3" W (20.6 cm x 5.8 cm); 7.3" H (18.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Ritual spoons like these examples are typically carved by Timorese men. According to the Dallas Museum of Art, "The splendidly decorated ritual spoons were found over a much larger area than West Timor. The most impressive specimens, often adorned with beautiful openwork carving, are probably those of the Tetun in Central Timor. An interesting feature of their decoration is the frequent use of human figures, as well as the bird motif. Both subjects are sometimes rendered in high relief, and in some rare cases the human figures are even partially three-dimensional. These human shapes probably had a meaning comparable to that of the birds, signifying that the deceased had said his farewells to the community and was now a part of the realm of the ancestors."

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1999.47.60.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010; ex-Ami Brown collection, New York, USA, acquired from 1950 to 1970

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#168588

Chips to shoulder and bird head of more petite spoon. Other is intact. Both have expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, both are very nice with impressively preserved detail and nice patina.