**Originally Listed At $100**

West Africa, Cote d'Ivoire / Ivory Coast, Baule peoples, ca. 1961 CE. This is an ornately detailed example of a wooden Baule flywhisk, carved with an avian form and resembling a short scepter. A hen, probably a chicken or possibly a Guinea fowl, perches on the corseted handle, replacing the more typical parrot. There is an inscription with the name 'KONAKR' and the date '1961'. Two anthropomorphic faces are placed on opposite sides at the juncture between the handle and the flaring top. This piece may have been an implement for a village chief or similarly high-ranking official. Such objects were displayed openly during public ceremonies, where they functioned to announce the status of their owner. As a flywhisk, horsehair would have been arranged around the unadorned section of the handle for flicking at pesky flies. The surface is covered with a dark and lustrous patina. A fine and rare example with personalized inscriptions! Size: 2.5" W x 16" H (6.4 cm x 40.6 cm); 17.25" H (43.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-Herb Harris collection, New York City, USA since 1962; collected in situ, Ivory Coast, Abidjian, 1962

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#151217

Stable fissures across bird's body and feet. Surface displays a nice patina. Rare type!