Title
fly.whisk (handle)
Identifier
Description
Three pieces of carved ivory, tied together, with anthropomorphic decoration. Michie (1887) describes this as a 'Piece of carved bone from Otaheite', Reid (1912) as 'Work of art in elaborately carved ivory', Hunt (1981) as a 'Fly-whisk handle'.
Date
Early: 1800 Late: 1823
Format
L: 302 mm W: 43 mm
Coverage
Polynesia Society.Islands Tahiti
Relation
ivory whale.ivory vegetable.fibre string
Abstract
19. Fly-whisk handle. Society Islands, Tahiti. Fly-whisks with elaborately carved handles in wood or ivory were attributes of high status. Two similar handles made from segments of whale ivory were presented by the high chief Pomare II to a missionary in 1818.
UUID
2e559f9b-82c9-40e0-a714-439dda1e4aa6
