Early Penitente Whip, New Mexican, Spanish Colonial

New Mexico

19th century | Wood, Hide, Twine | Item 2146

From the collection of Larry Frank, this whip shows great age in the wood, the twine and the hide. I love the look of the old and well used (oiled) wood. The stick has a glow to it, like it creates its own light. The stick is tapered with twine tied around the small end. Attached to the twine is a piece of thick hide. The end of the stick where it is the thickest has a fine grid cut into the base visible in the last photo. This whip would not do much damage (no, I haven’t tried it!) but would have a strong symbolic effect during self flagellation.