Zulu-style carved bone snuff spoon, southern Africa, late 1800s
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 1800s
Often, snuff spoons made from the rib of an ox or cow were subtly carved to suggest a female body. Decorated with incised designs blackened with cattle fat and ash, many are true hybrid objects, combining a spoon with a long-tined comb or hairpin. Such spoons were typically worn as ornaments in the hair or even the beard, thus signaling the social standing of their wearer. Cleveland Museum of Art object 2010.234: Snuff Spoon (intshengula or izintshengula), late 1800s. Africa, Southern Africa, South Africa, Zulu-style maker. Bone; overall: 17.8 cm (7 in.). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Such spoons were typically worn as ornaments in the hair or even the beard, signaling the social standing of their wearer.
Physical characteristics
- Medium
- bone
- Dimensions
- Overall: 17.8 cm (7 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 17.8 cm (7 in.)
- Material and technique
- bone
Identification
- Date recorded
- late 1800s
- Culture period
- Africa, Southern Africa, South Africa, Zulu-style maker
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 2010.234
Catalogue references
- Catalogue2010.234
Research required
- Research required: this record documents one museum specimen; type boundaries, varieties and specialist references have not been verified.