Fly Whisk
97-120-368
From: French Polynesia | Austral Islands
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| 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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