Bwende Artist

Flywhisk
Republic of the Congo
Late 19th-early 20th century
Wood, pewter, animal hair
Height: 12 in (30.5 cm)

Provenance
The fly whisk was collected by Dr. Herbert William Kirby, who was appointed to serve in Congo by the Baptist Missionary Union in 1901. Kirby departed for Africa and arrived at Kifwa station in 1902. He traveled to regions on both sides of the Congo river throughout his four years in the Congo. This is documented in his correspondence in The Baptist Missionary Magazine in 1902, 1905 and 1906.
Dr. Kirby transferred to Assam in 1906.
Ownership of the whisk passed to his son in-law, Earl H. Berry (1909-1996), and his daughter
Mary Ella Kirby Berry (1916-1957), then to their children in NJ.

Price on Request

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