Baule Royal Fly Whisk

An elephant, in gold, standing on top of everything.

This royal fly whisk is Baule, from Morofe in the Akwe region of Ivory Coast, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is gold foil over wood, with horse tail and cloth. Across this part of West Africa, the elephant is a widely used emblem of strength and leadership. Here it stands on a domed cap, trunk curled down, its hide cross-hatched. The flared handle below is cut with interlocking diagonal patterns, ending in red cloth bound with cord. It reaches 26.25 inches high.

An elephant makes the point without raising its voice.