Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Woodwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 49 cm, Width: 10 cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
W.341-1921
Record ID
W.341-1921
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
Notes
The finesse in which this spoon was carved suggests its use for dignitary or elite members of society during banquets or special ceremonies. Indeed, Iranian paintings from the early to mid-nineteenth century show such spoons placed delicately along the edges of large porcelain bowls, floating upon the surface, the contents of which contained sherbet. These spoons were used communally amongst guests, often with several guests drinking from the same spoon. Major R. Murdoch Smith discusses the Iranian town of Abadeh (between Isfahan and Shiraz) as being the main centre of Persian wood carving during the period of 1800-1900. This town was famous for its elaborately carved spoons (qashuq) and small boxes, all made of either pear or lime wood, and carved with a common pocket-knife.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Carved pearwood; painted in green
Fiziksel açıklama
Carved wooden spoon with a large boat-shaped bowl, long rhomboidal handle, and rosette at the join, elaborately carved in openwork. Made from a single piece of pearwood. The handle is entirely carved with an intricate, repeating geometric pattern with stylized birds in profile running along the edges, each accented with small red painted dots. A Persian inscription decorates the center of upper handle (painted in green). The ladle is finely carved with barely 1mm width, and has since broken into several parts.
