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Catalog Data

Maker:
Amhara artist  Search this
Medium:
Bone, hair, plant fiber
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 39.8 x 5.6 x 3.1 cm (15 11/16 x 2 3/16 x 1 1/4 in.)
Type:
Textile and Fiber Arts
Geography:
Ethiopia
Date:
Mid-19th century
Label Text:
In most of Africa, flywhisks were carried as prestige regalia and during masquerades. They emphasized both gestures and spoken words. Their materials tended to be made of inherantly status conferring materials. For example this flywhisk that was once owned by Emperor Theodor (1855-1868) of Ethiopia is made of richly dyed horsehair. The horse is associated with military success and is valued in direct relationship with how difficult horses are to maintain in tse tse fly infested regions.
Description:
Fly whisk composed of a bone handle, flared at the ends and yellow at the whisk end. The whisk is of hair, probably horse hair, dyed deep red with a yellow center and a deep red tip.
Provenance:
Collection of Emperor Theodor (1855-1868) of Ethiopia
Michael Graham-Stewart, London, -- to 1989
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
Status  Search this
Male use  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Acquisition grant from the James Smithson Society
Object number:
89-8-41
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7680d6c80-d2ab-4a20-bbb4-99ce21c264f5
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_89-8-41