Flywhisk Handle with Three Birds and Two Faces
![front view of the baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428409-A83I7PYBJG35REW8BUM5/baule-flywhisk-handle-1-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![close up handle of baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428372-5ZUM0O1SUL8XXDKDTMT7/baule-flywhisk-handle-2-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![close up handle of baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428376-18ODD3MYQ02RD8HW8ERG/baule-flywhisk-handle-3-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![close up handle of baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428370-3EGXIQZM8KF29FVREXND/baule-flywhisk-handle-4-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![detail shot of face on baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428713-30Y63O87914BFYS787GQ/baule-flywhisk-handle-5-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![top of baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428625-Z55DR5TLHCV04OEA70SU/baule-flywhisk-handle-6-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![detail shot of birds on baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428714-1UQ9QCTJKTBK5CIF6ZNX/baule-flywhisk-handle-7-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
![close up bird on baule flywhisk handle with three birds and two faces from the ivory coast, africa. made of carved wood and iron staples](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663011428595-FI0X13482Y0FR0XK4GY1/baule-flywhisk-handle-8-ivory-coast-african-tribal-sculpture-morgan-oaks-san-francisco.jpg)
Flywhisk Handle with Three Birds and Two Faces
$650.00
Baule culture, Ivory Coast, Africa
Early 20th century
Wood, iron, accumulation
8.5 x 4.25 in. / 21.5 x 11 cm
Height on custom display stand: 9.75 in. / 25 cm
This flywhisk was originally attached to a horsehair bundle and covered in gold leaf. The iron staples used to attach the horsehair are still attached, and the fine geometric incisions served to hold the gold leaf in place. Like most flywhisks, the gold leaf and horsehair have long-since been removed, but the surviving wood sculpture shows the artistry of the Baule sculptor.
A Baule flywhisk from the Detroit Institute of Arts with similar iconography can be seen here.
Domestic shipping included. International shipping quoted separately.