Among the Baule, such a beautifully made and opulently carved, large hilt of a fly-whisk is an object used for purely ceremonial and prestige purposes by high dignitaries. Most hilts of such prestigious fly-whisks would previously have been covered in gold leaf. The present hilt is made from hard, brown wood.
On the upper, mushroom-like pommel stands a three-dimensional, carved elephant of symbolic importance (the elephant is the largest and most powerful animal in Africa – evidently this fly whisk belonged to an especially ‘great animal’). The elephant displays skilfully crafted tusks, a trunk, ears and a tail. The smaller pommel, in the middle of the object, displays two half faces opposite each other. They are carved in true Baule relief style. All visible remaining surfaces of the hilt are decorated with delicate, geometric lines in relief. The long animal hair of the fly-whisk would have once been attached to the roughly carved tip (below).
An very beautifully crafted piece with minor age-related damage (a small crack to the side of the upper ‘mushroom’ and a crack behind). An interesting object with shiny usage patina. Height: 36.5 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian Collection.

Lit.:
'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 128, 198, 199.