Flywhisk

06/07/05 Don Tenoso notes during visit of 02/23/05 "human hair on the fly-switch."

"A rare Chinese boxwood fly whisk.

A rare Chinese huang yang mu (boxwood) fly whisk (in Sanskrit it is the ‘Chauri’), 11” long, with jade bead and loop for hanging, 18th century. The tail of the yak or Tibetan ox is affixed to a handle, and Buddhist priests carry this as a symbol of their religious functions, and to wave away the flies which, according to the tenets of their creed, may not be killed. It is also a sign of leadership. In Buddhism, it also signifies obedience to the first commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” In Daoism (Taoism) it is regarded as an instrument of magic; its origin is India. It is also an attribute associated with Guanyin (Kuan Yin), the Bodhisattva of mercy and compassion, as well as infinite love." - Bernie McManus, Appraiser, Woodbury House, Connecticut, 9/4/2002.

Christie’s, New York, 9/16/99, sale 9212, lot #54, Chinese brush without bristles, 18th/19th century, 9”L, comparable could be found for a fly whisk , but the form is basically the same as a brush.