The kingdom of the Luba since the 15th century has formed a large confederation with many smaller ethnic groups, in southern Congo (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 109). Characteristic for the social structure of the Luba was the high position of the woman. For this reason, representations of women are very common in the art of the Luba. As seen here on the grip of the present, time-honoured fly whisk. This grip is made of hard, light-coloured wood, carved in the popular, rounded, ‘soft’ style of the Luba, and was probably originally dyed black. It shows a kneeling woman, with a knob shaped crest on her head and a hairstyle of six combs. The arms are bent and hang free by the sides. She holds her breasts in both hands. Her elongated abdomen displays three rows of decorative scars (in the middle, left and right) in relief. The grip in the aforementioned shape of an attractive female figure is the special feature of this object. All edges are rounded and ‘softly’ worn, through very long use. Therefore, the entire figure shows an understandable amount of colour scuffing, and displays a very good, old shiny patina. Attached to the wooden handle at the bottom is a long whisk of animal hair (horse? antelope?) tied on with fabric stripes.
The entire object is in good condition, with no significant damage. There is an inventory number from a collection, in white letters, on the fabric wrap below.
H: 12 cm (grip figure); length: c. 48 cm (entire object).
First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
South African private collection.