Fan, D88.205

Woven grass shaped into a flat rectangular fan with a round woven grass handle. Handle appears to be constructed with grass woven around a core of somewhat heavier plant material, something of a pith in appearance. Strips of grass were originally dyed either red or green, with another portion of strips being left their natural colour. Colours have apparently faded while still retaining some of the original hues. General shape of fan is of a square/rectangular flag with fringes on the edge, and attached to a handle, i.e. appearance of a small hand held flag. Coloured grass is woven to from a general pattern within the fan, with natural colour strips starting at lower end of fan, red strips in centre, and green at top. General appearance of fan is that of having received light use. Ends of handle, particularly lower end, are somewhat frayed - whether from use or ageing. As mentioned original colours appear to have faded somewhat.

Woven grass shaped into a flat rectangular fan with a round woven grass handle. Handle appears to be constructed with grass woven around a core of somewhat heavier plant material, something of a pith in appearance. Strips of grass were originally dyed either red or green, with another portion of strips being left their natural colour. Colours have apparently faded while still retaining some of the original hues. General shape of fan is of a square/rectangular flag with fringes on the edge, and attached to a handle, i.e. appearance of a small hand held flag. Coloured grass is woven to from a general pattern within the fan, with natural colour strips starting at lower end of fan, red strips in centre, and green at top. General appearance of fan is that of having received light use. Ends of handle, particularly lower end, are somewhat frayed - whether from use or ageing. As mentioned original colours appear to have faded somewhat. Length of handle = approx. 430 mm.

Diameter of handle = approx. 13 mm. Height of flag (as measured along handle) = approx. 323mm. Width of flag (as measured from handle to far edge at which point fringe is tied) = approx. 260mm mm. Length of fringe = approx. 90 mm. —Joel A Vanderburg

Donated by: Mrs Muriel Newnham

Locality: Nigeria