Fly Whisk

97-120-368

From: French Polynesia | Austral Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Object Number 97-120-368
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Austral Islander
Provenience French Polynesia | Austral Islands
Date Made Before 1841
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood | Coconut Fiber
Description

Ceremonial fly whisk. Top of wood handle carved with back to back stylized human figures, crouched over 18 smooth round discs and, at the bottom a final disk decorated in the style of Austral Island carvings. Rest of handle is plain, with criss-crossed fiber, loose and partly broken. Whisk of stiff, twisted dark brown coconut fiber. Symbol of chiefly status and prestige. Collected by Titian R. Peale, artist-naturalist with the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1839-1840,

Length 57 cm
Width 18 cm
Credit Line Gift of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1997
Other Number L-120-368 - Old Museum Number | 10539 - ANSP Number

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