Title:
Asante Wooden Comb
Object Name:
Comb, Wood
Other Name:
Comb, Wood, Asante Head
Place of Origin:
Asante, Ghana, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 9—1/2"
W = 3"
D = 3/4"
The elaborate coiffures of Asante women led to the production of wooden combs which were often given as presents from fathers or husbands. They are frequently decorated with a scene depicting the occasion when the gift was presented.
Added 4/28/16: Figural combs of this kind are common among people of central and West Africa. They are embellished with figures, heads, and other motifs borrowed from local sculpture, textile, and wickerwork. Combs are important implements for beauty as elaborate hairstyles were seen as a mark of civilization. Combs were used to ornament ceremonial hairstyles and to untangle the hair afterwards. In the Asante culture, these combs were often given as presents from fathers or husbands. They are sometimes decorated witha scene depicting the occasion when the gift was presented.
Bacquart, P. 33
H = 9—1/2"
W = 3"
D = 3/4"
The elaborate coiffures of Asante women led to the production of wooden combs which were often given as presents from fathers or husbands. They are frequently decorated with a scene depicting the occasion when the gift was presented.
Added 4/28/16: Figural combs of this kind are common among people of central and West Africa. They are embellished with figures, heads, and other motifs borrowed from local sculpture, textile, and wickerwork. Combs are important implements for beauty as elaborate hairstyles were seen as a mark of civilization. Combs were used to ornament ceremonial hairstyles and to untangle the hair afterwards. In the Asante culture, these combs were often given as presents from fathers or husbands. They are sometimes decorated witha scene depicting the occasion when the gift was presented.
Bacquart, P. 33
Description:
Buff—colored wooden comb with oval—shaped head finial. Pointed chin and short ringed cylindrical neck. Nose and eyebrows in a T—shaped form, bulgy eyes, slit mouth, broad shoulders. Flat rectangular body, as bottom of comb extends into eight pointed teeth.
Collection:
Finley Collection
Material:
Wood
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Carving
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2014.1.108
Click to Enlarge
Front View
Close-Up of Finial
Rear View
Front View
Close-Up of Finial
Rear View