Fan handle from the Marquesas Islands (Ke'e tahi'i), French Polynesia Wood, light brown patina H. 13 cm Marquesas Islands fan handle (Ke'e tahi'i), French Polynesia H. 5 1/8 in Provenance : - Galerie Valluet-Ferrandin - Ancienne collection Bertrand Goy Throughout the Pacific, beyond its practical or ornamental function, the fan was the prerogative and distinctive mark of the most eminent dignitaries in society, whether princes, warriors or high priests. As such, highly specialized carvers were entrusted with the task of chiselling the handle from the noblest wood or marine ivory and master basket weavers with the task of weaving the top. Traditionally, this handle was decorated with two pairs of tiki welded back to back and superimposed. The fineness and sobriety of its carving as well as the wear of the wood that has softened its angles speak for the great antiquity of this very refined example of Polynesian art. A fan handle of the same workmanship is represented in " The Oldman collection of Polynesian artefacts " (N° 234D, Plate 116)