Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1874
Publication Place
Abadah (made) -
Subject
Islam
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 55.5cm, Width: 10.4cm, Depth: 8.0cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
1286-1874
Record ID
1286-1874
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1874
Notes
This elaborately carved spoon was used for drinking sherbet. Such exquisitely carved spoons were the preserve of the well-to-do. They featured prominently at fancy dinner gatherings, where they were the only utensils used. The spoons were placed in ceramic basins with their handles balanced on the side and their bowls floating on top of the sherbet. A guest would drink from the spoon, then place it back in the basin for other guests to use. One spoon might serve for two or three people in this way. Large spoons like this one were usually made in two parts, with a long rhomboid handle joined to the bowl-section by a socket. The socket was concealed under a large rosette, as here, to make it appear as if the spoon had been carved from one large piece of wood. Large spoons also had a curved 'buttress' underneath the rosette which braced against the bowl. This added stability and prevented the spoon from breaking under the weight of its load of sherbet. This spoon was made in the Iranian town of Abadah. In the period 1800-1900, when this piece was made, the town was famous for its elaborately carved sherbet spoons (âqashuqâ) made of pear- and box-wood.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Carved wood Wood Carving
Fiziksel açıklama
Carved wooden spoon with a large boat-shaped bowl, long rhomboidal handle, and rosette at the join. Elaborately carved in openwork.
Üslup
Qajar
