Fly Whisk

China

Not on view

An instrument of literati dandyism in Chinese culture, the fly whisk is often depicted in early paintings and decorative arts, however, few actual examples are preserved. The hexagonal, tinted ivory handle of this piece is decorated with two rows of lotus petals. The macramé ferrule is edged with copper wire and has a raised design of an attenuated dragon chasing a tin pearl.

Fly Whisk, Ivory with tin beads and palm-leaf fibers, China

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