Pair of Fly Whisks
Yoruba, Nigeria
Early 20th Century

PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Brussels.

Fly Whisks are important items of the royal and/or priest-chief regalia. Used during ceremonial occasions and festivals, Fly Whisks represent the royal retainers and are usually heavily decorated with elaborate beadwork, or in this case, metals adornments. These decorative features empower the figure. These two examples have old coins fastened into the body, with leather wrapped handles extended into a long flowing fringe. Finely carved, the figure’s faces are covered in scarification marks and decorated coiffures.

Heights including leather fringe: Tallest: 12 in. Shorter: 11 in.
IN 10-4-15 / SOLD