Cleveland Museum of Art

Flywhisk

Date: late 1800s-early 1900s
Medium: Wood and animal hair
Culture: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo (most likely), Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Yombe-style maker
Department: African Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art
Object ID: 168729

From the Cleveland Museum of Art record

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. Rarely do flywhisks depict a female figure.

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Provenance & credit

As published by the source institution. Coverage varies — not every institution's open-data feed includes ownership history.

Credit line: René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Provenance: ?-1972: (René De Wolf, Brussels, BE before 1972, sold to René and Odette Delenne) | 1972-2010: René [1901-1998] and Odette Delenne [1925-2012], Brussels, BE, 2010, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art. | 2010: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 2010