Object Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
African Art Collection |
Object Name |
Comb |
Other Name |
Wooden Comb |
Catalog Number |
1976.1.13 |
Accession Number |
1976.1 |
Description |
Dark wooden comb (hair pick) with ten round teeth that are worn at the ends and two teeth have splintered off. The comb's handle is partially broken. It has an intricate geometric design carved into the surface that is visible on both sides of the handle. Possibly an Akan Prestige Comb from Northern Ghana. Combs found in Northern Ghana tend to use geographic shapes after Islamic influence for two centuries. "Combs were often obtained as gifts from admirers or presented at marriage. Large bridal combs were prestigious and used to adorn the home. Depending on a woman's wealth or beauty, she might own three or four. "Ghanaian people frequently use proverbs in daily life to clarify anything and everything. The wide variety of abstract and naturalistic shapes found on their combs, for the most part, represented local proverbs. Combs and the carvings found on them reveal these proverbs withount the use of words. The smaller the comb is possibly an Akan Prestige Comb from Northern Ghana. Combs found in the North tended to use geographic shapes--after two centuries of Islamic influence (from Galerie Ezakwatnu)", Faces of Ghana: A Photography Exhibit by Jay L. Baker, December 2011- June 2012 |
People |
Akan |
Subjects |
Africa--Social life and customs. Africa. Carving Courting Ghana Ghana--Social conditions. Hair Hair dressing Hair ornaments Rites & ceremonies Women Wood carving Wood engravings Wood working Wood-carving--Africa--Exhibitions. |