Fly Whisk Collection

The Harem, 1876. Creator: John Frederick Lewis
The Harem, 1876

The kings fly-whisk, from the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in the Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

A Pokot warrior wearing a cheetah skin jumps high in the air surrounded by young women to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Interior of a Sikh Temple at Umritzir - reading the Grunt'h, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Interior of a Sikh Temple at Umritzir [in India] - reading the Grunt'h - from a drawing by W. Carpenter, Jun. 1858. The Gooroos are the spiritual guides of the Sikhs

Entry of the Prince of Wales into a City of India, 1876. Creator: C.R
Entry of the Prince of Wales into a City of India, 1876. The future King Edward VII rides in a canopied howdah during a royal visit. A triumphal arch is inscribed: God Bless the Prince of Wales'

Costumes de Différents Pays, Bonze et Vestale Chinois, c1797. Creators: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, LF Labrousse
Costumes de Differents Pays, Bonze et Vestale Chinois, c1797

The Heavenly Audience of Shiva and Parvati (image 1 of 3), between c1830 and c1850. Creator: Unknown
The Heavenly Audience of Shiva and Parvati (image 1 of 3), between c1830 and c1850

Shri Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1625. Creator: Unknown
Shri Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1625

Jaladhara Ragaputra, Son of Megha Mallar Raga, Folio from a Ragamala... between c1685 and c1690. Creator: Unknown
Jaladhara Ragaputra, Son of Megha Mallar Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), between c1685 and c1690

Malkos Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), between c1675 and c1700. Creator: Unknown
Malkos Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), between c1675 and c1700

Hiranyakasipu About to Decapitate Prahlada, Folio from a Bhagavata Purana... c1725. Creator: Unknown
Hiranyakasipu About to Decapitate Prahlada, Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord), c1725

Malkos Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1675. Creator: Unknown
Malkos Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1675

The Guicowar of Baroda, visited by the Prince of Wales, 1876. Creator: Unknown
The Guicowar of Baroda, visited by the Prince of Wales, 1876. Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the boy-prince, welcomed the future King Edward VII to his palace at Vadodara, India

Costumes de Différents Pays, Femme des Ysles Sandwich, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Femme des Ysles Sandwich, c1797

Bracket with a Cherub Holding a Fly Whisk, turn of the 1/2nd century. Creator: Unknown
Bracket with a Cherub Holding a Fly Whisk, turn of the 1/2nd century

Raja Dip Singh, between c1775 and c1800. Creator: Unknown
Raja Dip Singh, between c1775 and c1800

Rao Ajit Singh of Bundi (reigned 1770-1773), between c1770 and c1773. Creator: Unknown
Rao Ajit Singh of Bundi (reigned 1770-1773), between c1770 and c1773

Kanhra Ragini, Third Wife of Dipak Raga, Folio from a Ragamala... between c1700 and c1730. Creator: Unknown
Kanhra Ragini, Third Wife of Dipak Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), between c1700 and c1730

Sindhu Ragaputra, Son of Shri Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1775. Creator: Unknown
Sindhu Ragaputra, Son of Shri Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1775

Krishna Preparing to Decapitate King Kamsa, King of the Krishna Suit, Playing... Mid-18th century. Creator: Unknown
Krishna Preparing to Decapitate King Kamsa, King of the Krishna Suit, Playing Card from a Dashavatara (Ten Avatars) Ganjifa Set, Mid-18th century

Rama's Court, Folio from a Ramayana (Adventures of Rama), between 1775 and 1800. Creator: Unknown
Rama's Court, Folio from a Ramayana (Adventures of Rama), between 1775 and 1800

Shankarabharana Ragaputra, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1675. Creator: Unknown
Shankarabharana Ragaputra, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), c1675

Varadi Ragini, Fourth Wife of Dipak Raga, Folio from a Ragamala... between 1675 and 1700. Creator: Unknown
Varadi Ragini, Fourth Wife of Dipak Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies), between 1675 and 1700

The Begum of Bhopal escorts the Prince of Wales to the Durbar Hall, India, 1921
The begum of Bhopal escorts the Prince of Wales to the Durbar Hall, India, 1921. The future King Edward VIII on a royal visit to India

Painted Banner (Thangka) of Vajriputra, One of the Sixteen Great Arhats, late 17th/early 18th century

Sri Krsna with the flute, ca. 1790-1800. Creator: Unknown
Sri Krsna with the flute, ca. 1790-1800

Malashri Ragini from a Ragmala series, 1640. Creator: Unknown
Malashri Ragini from a Ragmala series, 1640

The Ramayana (Tales of Rama; The Freer Ramayana), Volume 1, Mughal dynasty, 1597-1605

Fly whish handle (bronze)
DBP412900 Fly whish handle (bronze) by Nigerian School, (9th century); height: 15.7 cm; Private Collection; Photo eDirk Bakker; Nigerian, out of copyright

Fly-whisk, Benin (ivory & horse hair)
5905549 Fly-whisk, Benin (ivory & horse hair) by West African School (18th century); handle length: 34 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Representing a standing bird with folded wings)

His Highness Maharaja Tukoji Rao (1844-86) II of Indore and attendant
STC254576 His Highness Maharaja Tukoji Rao (1844-86) II of Indore and attendant, 1877 (albumen print) by Bourne, S. (1834-1912) & Shepherd, C. (c.1858-85) (attr)

Seated prince with attendant, detached album folio with painting, c
3741875 Seated prince with attendant, detached album folio with painting, c.1900 (opaque watercolour, ink, and gold on paper) by Indian School, (19th-20th century); 29.5x20 cm; Arthur M

Ranjit Singh seated on a gold chair, attended by a morchal-bearer and served wi, c
6040526 Ranjit Singh seated on a gold chair, attended by a morchal-bearer and served wi, c.1830 (opaque w/c and gold on paper) by Pahari School (19th Century); 24.7x13.5 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Whisk bearer, from The Hindus, or the Description of their Manners
STC439679 Whisk bearer, from The Hindus, or the Description of their Manners, Costumes and Ceremonies, c.1808-12 (coloured etching) by Solvyns

Goddess with Fly Whisk, Didarganj Patna culture, 300 BC (polished sandstone)
834214 Goddess with Fly Whisk, Didarganj Patna culture, 300 BC (polished sandstone) by Indian School, (4th century BC); 163x49 cm; Private Collection; Photo eDirk Bakker; Indian, out of copyright

A prince in darbar under a canopy, c. 1880 (opaque w / c and gold on paper)
6040530 A prince in darbar under a canopy, c.1880 (opaque w/c and gold on paper) by Indian School, (19th century); 46.5x34.9 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Said Mustapha Pasha Wounded at the Battle of Aboukir, from Volume II Costumes
STC89012 Said Mustapha Pasha Wounded at the Battle of Aboukir, from Volume II Costumes and Portraits of Description of Egypt, engraved by Raphael Urbain Massard, pub

Tahitian tools and Ceremonial instruments, illustration from a collection of early 19th
STC227353 Tahitian tools and Ceremonial instruments, illustration from a collection of early 19th Century travel books (colour litho) by Italian School

Lakshmi massaging the foot of Vishnu, ca. 1765-1770. Creators: Nainsukh, Manju
Lakshmi massaging the foot of Vishnu, ca. 1765-1770. Composition attributed to Nainsukh, painting attributed to Manju

M. Balwant Singh with Colonel Borthwick, dated 1825. Creator: Baijnath
M. Balwant Singh with Colonel Borthwick, dated 1825

The poet Sundar Das before Emperor Shah Jahan, folio from a Sundar Shringar, ca. 1750-1760. Attributed to Nainsukh

Diwan Nawal Singh, Prime Minister of Datia, ca. 1750. Creator: Unknown
Diwan Nawal Singh, Prime Minister of Datia, ca. 1750

Lovers on a terrace, with an attendant and musicians, 18th century. Creator: Unknown
Lovers on a terrace, with an attendant and musicians, 18th century

A Prince and his consort, ca. 1790. Creator: Unknown
A Prince and his consort, ca. 1790

Gosain Kirpal Girji, ca. 1720. Creator: Unknown
Gosain Kirpal Girji, ca. 1720

Sri Sri Rai Raja, ca. 1885-95. Creator: Unknown
Sri Sri Rai Raja, ca. 1885-95

Reception of a Persian Ambassador by a Mughal Prince, early 17th century

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

In various cultures and historical periods, the fly whisk has held great significance as a symbol of power, prestige, and spirituality. One such instance can be seen in the Atelo ceremony of the Pokot warriors. These pastoralists from Southern Sudan celebrate their bravery by leaping high into the air while surrounded by young women. In this exhilarating moment, a warrior adorned with a cheetah skin proudly wields his fly whisk, representing his authority and prowess. Traveling back in time to ancient Egypt, we discover another remarkable use of the fly whisk. From the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Thebes' Valley of Kings emerged an exquisite artifact – the king's own fly whisk. This discovery highlights its association with royalty and divine rulership. Moving eastward to India during 1921, we witness an enchanting scene unfold within Bhopal's Durbar Hall. The Begum gracefully escorts none other than Prince Wales himself while elegantly holding her intricately designed fly whisk. This regal accessory not only complements her attire but also signifies her esteemed position alongside British royalty. Artistic depictions throughout history further emphasize the cultural significance attached to this humble tool. A lithograph titled "Mrs Lane" showcases a woman wielding a beautifully crafted fly whisk handle made from bronze—an artistic fusion of functionality and elegance. The Benin Kingdom presents yet another captivating example through their ivory and horsehair masterpiece—a magnificent representation of their craftsmanship and status symbols. From spiritual realms to tales passed down generations, even religious texts like "The Ramayana" depict deities like Sri Krsna using a flute-shaped fly whisk as they mesmerize devotees with their divine melodies. Whether it is used for ceremonial rituals or as an emblematic accessory for nobility, these glimpses into different eras remind us that beyond its practical purpose lies an object steeped in cultural heritage—a testament to humanity's fascination with both power and beauty.