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Fan Handle (Ke'e)

Arts of the Pacific Islands

High-ranking men and women used fans with elaborately carved handles as symbols of status. The complete fan incorporates in its handle a working pipe intended for show rather than use. After European voyagers introduced it in the eighteenth century, tobacco quickly acquired a place In Marquesan culture.

CULTURE Marquesan
MEDIUM Wood
DATES late 18th century
DIMENSIONS 14 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 5/8 in. (37.5 x 4.4 x 1.6 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 73.107.7
CREDIT LINE Gift of Marcia and John Friede
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wooden fan handle. The handle of the fan consists of two pairs of tiki, one set on top of the other. Their eyes are enlarged. The area between the figures is also enlarged. The lips are defined by extended horizontal lines. On the top and the bottom of the figures sit two pairs of animal heads. Rising from the handle is a 10 5/8 inch strip of wood with incised horizontal lines. Condition: Good; the fan itself is missing
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Marquesan. Fan Handle (Ke'e), late 18th century. Wood, 14 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 5/8 in. (37.5 x 4.4 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Marcia and John Friede, 73.107.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.107.7_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 73.107.7_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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