Ladle, D88.242

Spoon/ladle: Gourd cut in half lengthwise. Deep bowl at end. Shallow, long stem. Exterior incised with thin cross hatching, long diamond shape and straight lines. Lines darkened with stain - possibly intended scorch marks. Interior has a circle inside of a circle and large areas darkened with stain/scorched. Utensils of this type are in common household use and are also often purchased by visitors/tourists. General appearance is of unused utensil in good condition.

Culture:
? Likely from Ghana cultures. Specific group might be possible to identify from the decorations on the utensil.

Region:
? West Africa? Ghana? Gourd utensils of this general type are found throughout much of Africa. Initial documentation as being from the area around Accra, Ghana would be consistent with the presence of this type/style utensil.

Use:
Spoon/ladle for stews/soup/porridge.

Description:
Spoon/ladle: Gourd cut in half lengthwise. Deep bowl at end. Shallow, long stem. Exterior incised with thin cross hatching, long diamond shape and straight lines. Lines darkened with stain - possibly intended scorch marks. Interior has a circle inside of a circle and large areas darkened with stain/scorched. Utensils of this type are in common household use and are also often purchased by visitors/tourists. General appearance is of unused utensil in good condition.

Dimensions:
Length = approx. 258mm. Width of bowl across opening - from lip to lip = approx. 83mm. Depth of bowl = approx. 40.6mm. —Joel A Vanderburg

Collected from coastal fringe near Accra Ghana