White lime is viewed by the Ibo in south-eastern Nigeria as a special symbol of purity, health, beauty, morality and ‘sacredness’. White lime is used by the women of the Ibo as cosmetic, and even pregnant women and newborn babies are rubbed with lime. Healing and mystical properties are attributed to white lime. One offers lime to the gods in ‘sacred’ shrines, and in daily life it is an Ibo custom to offer visitors to one’s own home cola nuts and white lime. For this reason, such finely crafted lime spoons were ‘invented’.
The present lime spoon, locally called ‘okwanzu’, is one such finely executed item of daily life of the Ibo: carved from one piece of hard, brown wood. With a deep, oval bowl (which was probably cleaned early on) and a firm, heavy, round hilt. A special feature of this piece is the simple but perfectly fashioned head at the end of the handle, with its calm, serious expression. A simple but aesthetically impressive work of the Ibo artist. Small, insignificant breaks to the upper rim of the bowl. Otherwise no damage. With good, old usage patina everywhere, especially on the handle. Length: 29 cm; width: 11.5 cm (bowl). First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘Igbo Arts. Community and Cosmos’ by H. M. Cole & Ch. C. Aniakor, ill. 105, 106.