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Flywhisk
late 1800s-early 1900s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
In Central Africa, flywhisks denoted status, rank, and function, rather than used to whisk away flies. Commonly associated with chiefs and titleholders, they were also owned by diviners and healers. Their purpose may also have been used to purify spaces, bless people, places, or things, and settle disputes. Flywhisks rarely depict women; yet this finely carved miniature of a woman kneeling signifies obedience and respect.
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Details
- Title: Flywhisk
- Date Created: late 1800s-early 1900s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 30 x 16 x 18 cm (11 13/16 x 6 5/16 x 7 1/16 in.)
- Provenance: (René De Wolf, Brussels, BE before 1972, sold to René and Odette Delenne), René [1901-1998] and Odette Delenne [1925-2012], Brussels, BE, 2010, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art., The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 2010
- Type: Sculpture
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2010.435
- Medium: Wood and animal hair
- Fun Fact: Rarely do flywhisks depict a female figure.
- Department: African Art
- Culture: Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (most likely), Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Yombe people
- Credit Line: René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
- Collection: African Art
- Accession Number: 2010.435
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