Bidspirit auction | Antique Horsehair Fly Whisk /

Antique Horsehair Fly Whisk / Chauri with Decorated Painted Wooden Handle - An attractive antique horsehair fly whisk or chauri, formed with a substantial long pale-grey horsehair brush mounted to an elaborately decorated turned wooden handle. The handle is finely painted and gilt with intricate floral and foliate ornament in red, green and gold, terminating in a shaped finial with surviving suspension cord. Probably Asian in origin and likely intended as a ceremonial or personal fly whisk rather than a domestic brush. The horsehair displays age-related discolouration and wear, with rubbing and losses to the painted and gilt decoration of the handle, but retaining considerable decorative character.