Flywhisks, Akan; Ghana
Wood, gold leaf, cloth, horse tail; L. 25 1/2"
/ L. 20"
Horse-tail flywhisks are part of the
regalia of chiefs and notables among Akan peoples
such as the Ashanti of Ghana. Generally they are
carried by attendants rather than the dignitary
himself. The pommel of the larger of the two tastefully
depicts a bird pulling at a snake entwined around
the handle, the base displaying alternating mask-like
faces and crabs. The smaller whisk, also very finely
worked, is primarily covered with geometric motifs
but has a small quadruped on the top.
