Baule Royal Fly Whisk

Red cloth, tied off like a good argument, and a whole mane of black hair.

This royal fly whisk is Baule, from Morofe in the Akwe region of Ivory Coast, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Its handle is gold foil over wood, with horse tail and cloth. Gold leaf over carved wood is a well-known technique in the prestige arts of southern Ivory Coast and Ghana. Small faces and bands are worked in relief along the handle, which flares to a rounded finial. Thin cord binds the red wrap. It runs 38 inches high and 4.5 across.

Even in repose it seems about to make a point.