African Cooking Spoon and Boxed Tarantula 1900's

The cooking spoon came from the Central African Republic and was an everyday household object used by villagers. It has a cross-hatch design on the handle and a note which reads "This wooden paddle is used to stir food in a large clay kettle on an open wood fire." It measures 30 1/2 in. long.

The Mygale tarantula came from the CAR as well and could be the bane of anyone who was bitten by the spider. It has large jaws that could bite and leave a venomous sting. Most tarantulas are relatively harmless to people. but once in a while you can develop a dangerous allergic reaction. The person who was doing missionary work in the country said he found tarantulas in his slippers and sometimes even in his bed. The box is is 6 x 4 13/16 in. wide and the head and body of the tarantula measure 2 x 3 1/4 in. long. Great for Show-and-Tell at school. From the Dale Baker collection.