Lot 181: Two Akan Gold leafed fly whisks

Akan, Ivory Coast and Ghana; H: 25 1/2" & 20"

Of classical form, the larger with a bird grasping a snake at the pommel, maskoids at the base of the handle. The smaller, primarily geometric with small figural knob. Both covered in gold leaf over finely incised carved designs.

Comments:
Horse-tail fly-whisks 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 depicts a bird pulling at a snake intertwined around the handle, the base depicting alternating mask-like faces and crabs.
The smaller whisk is primarily covered with geometric motifs but has a small quadruped on the top.

Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 15, Fig. 33

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

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