Figural fly whisk "mfunga mfumu" ·  D. R. Congo, Dondo · ID: 3033890

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, animal tail, in the shape of a kneeling female figure rising from a flat base, her cylindrical trunk decorated with brass tags, thin arms up to the back of the head, the fly whisk of animal hair inserted into the head, slightly dam., cracks (left side of body and head, base), on trapezoid base;
the originally pure functional use has developed in a highly decorative style, it became a prestige object. We may say that it is no longer a fly whisk but an emblem of power, a symbol of authority. These so-called “fly whisks” are part of the regalia of a chief (“mfumu”) or other political leader.

The object Figural fly whisk “mfunga mfumu” with the object ID 3033890 was last part of the auction 71st tribal art auction at November 24, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 371.

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Comparing literature

Lehuard, Raoul, Art Bakongo, Les Centres de Style, o.O. 1989, p. 117