Gan Iron Spoon

The history of iron in West Africa is long. Over time blacksmiths perfected their skills and were able to produce all manner of goods from tiny barbed arrowheads to lances to fine jewelry, detailed figures and masks. Over time calamities, pestilence, environmental changes and colonial commandments led to the collapse or forced upheaval of communities across the region. Today, within forest and wildlife reserves lie the remains of untold villages often marked by little more than scattered sherds of pottery and occasionally the lips of abandoned and water jars otherwise sunken in the earth. Such sites have long been sources of centuries old iron and copper alloy artifacts. This spoon is perhaps a century and half old. It is 7″ tall, highly oxidized yet maintains its delicate form. Mounted on a steel base.

Inquire About This Item