This sculpture is a key work of the group from 1925–27 that was inspired by African and other tribal art.

The powerful spoon shape recalls ancient fertility idols and spoons in human form made by African tribal cultures. It is half-curved towards the viewer; yet even as it opens up it also draws away, thus creating an enigmatic tension. The artist designed the individual elements of the sculpture in such a way as to emphasize their hovering presence and the phantasmal frontality of the figure.

Material

Bronze

Dimensions

144 x 51 x 23 cm

Creditline

Kunsthaus Zürich, Alberto Giacometti-Stiftung, 1965

Object number

GS 004

Signature

inscr. on plinth, right: A. Giacometti 1/6; on the medium plate, on back: A. Giacometti 1/6

Further information

Ex. 1/6

Provenance

• ab 1965, Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft | Kunsthaus Zürich (Museum), Zürich, Leihgabe
• ab 1965, Alberto Giacometti-Stiftung (Sammlung), Zürich, Übereignung
• 1963, Alberto Giacometti-Syndikat, Zürich, Kauf
• 1963, Galerie Beyeler (Galerie), Basel, Kauf
• 1955 – o.D., G. David Thompson (*1899 Newark, OH, +1965 Pittsburgh, PA) (Sammler/-in), Pittsburgh
• Pierre Matisse Gallery (Galerie), New York
• Alberto Giacometti (*1901 Borgonovo bei Stampa, +1966 Chur) (Künstler/-in)