Sherbet spoon, Iran, 1850-1900
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1850-1900
Sherbet spoon in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number W.342-1921), made in Iran, dated 1850-1900. The museum's brief description reads: Carved wooden spoon, Iran (Abadeh), Qajar period, 1850-1900.
Museum description: 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 museum records it as Carved pearwood; painted with green and red, measuring Length 39.5 cm; Width 8.3 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
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.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Carved pearwood; painted with green and red
- Dimensions
- Length 39.5 cm; Width 8.3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Carved pearwood; painted with green and red
- Place recorded
- Iran
Identification
- Museum object name
- Sherbet spoon
- Museum object number
- W.342-1921
- Museum system number
- O321801
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.