Sherbet Spoon
1800-78 (made)
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood and painted |
| Brief description | Carved and painted sherbet spoon, Iran (Abadeh), Qajar period, 1800-78 |
| Physical description | Large sherbet spoon carved from two pieces of wood, painted and carved with pierced decoration; the outer ladle of the spoon is painted with a running polychrome floral scroll while the connecting ‘buttress’ is pierced with a geometric pattern. The fine handle terminates in a carved lion or dragon’s head. |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 577-1878 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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