DESCRIPTION: This is a Native American Woodlands Indian effigy ceremonial ladle from New England, circa 1800s. The wooden effigy ladle was hand hewn using stones, knives and perhaps a beaver tooth for smoothing. The smaller Native American Woodland Indian ladles were used everyday as an eating implement or spoon. The longer ones were used as a ceremonial ladles, as the decorative handle shows. These ladles were used primarily to share from a communal bowl. The wooden effigy ladle has a spout of sorts, which would have been used for sipping and eating. The back and inside of the antique effigy bowl has a hand hewn shape which is more primitive than if it had been made by a lathe. On the end of the long handle is a carved effigy, which appears to be a feather shape. The ladle is made of a lightweight soft wood such as poplar, which would have been native to the area and was commonly used. The wooden effigy ladle has age appropriate patina and wear especially on the bowl.

MEASUREMENTS: 20 inches in long and 4 1/2 inches wide at the bowl.

Regional & Ethnic Antiques