Vintage African, Baule fly whisk. These whisks are part of the regalia of chiefs and notables, and are set in front of them on public occasions. The motifs on the handles are set motifs intended to emphasize the owner’s prestige and power. They were usually covered in gold leaf, and I have seen photographs of groups of them arranged on the beds of deceased important Baule people.
This particular whisk, with a monkey holding a bowl, and a hand holding an egg, has extra significance: According to research, in Baule culture, cupbearing monkey statues, commonly known as ‘gbeke’, are objects of power for the Mbra cult. In this group trance diviners own monkey objects which they keep in private shrines. They believe that these figures are the receptable for an ancient “god” given to the Baule by the Creator, which has supernatural power that can send its owner into a trance, but this can happen only if the Mbra spirit, which resides in the sculpture, is taken care of and fed. Only certain families have Mbra, having acquired it in past generations. The bowl that the “gbeke” hold is a receptable for offerings such as eggs, which represent power and prosperity.
Another interesting bit of information from another source states that the meaning of a hand holding an egg, such as seen on the top of this whisk and on some staffs, is “to be a ruler is like holding an egg in the hand: if it is pressed too hard, it breaks; but is not held tightly enough, if may slip and smash on the ground”!
19” L + another12”+ for the horse hair on the bottom; very nice carving; surface has an older patina/texture on the original surface, showing age and use.
