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African Prestige Combs / Hair Ornaments Peignes Africains - Afrikanische Haarkämme Afrikanische Haarkamm - Afrikanische Kamm
Ashanti - Akan - Fante
Ghana - West Africa
Northern Ghana - Akan Prestige Comb
Combs found in Northern Ghana tend to use geographic shapes after Islamic influence for two centuries.
This is a fantastic old prestige comb measuring + - 33.5 cms / 13 inches.
Akan speaking peoples prestige combs.
The Akan speaking women of Ghana include the Anyi, Ashanti, Baule and Fante. They all use wooden hair combs, as do their slaves. Combs are 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.
Colonial Ashanti Akuaba Doll Figured Comb
This stunning Ashanti
comb exhibits a representation of an Akuaba doll. The exceptionally
refined object is made from what appears to be a ceramic material
a-fixed to an inner core. The core is heavy and may well be pewter.
It is + - 24 cms or 9.5 inches tall.
@ AMR 1974
The comb is marked or signed
Abstract figures appear
in the breast / torso area of the comb.
Native Krobo girl - 'Gold Coast' - Ghana - Photo: P. A. McCann
Ghanaian people frequently use proverbs in daily life to clarify anything and everything. The wide verity of abstract and naturalistic shapes found on their combs, for the most part represent local proverbs. Combs and the carvings found on them, reveal these proverbs without the use of words.
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Baule Elephant Comb
Côte d'Ivoire - Ivory Coast
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This is well used Baule (Baoule) comb. The Baule reside in both Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
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The comb was most like made in the Ivory Coast - as the maker carved 300 F (Francs) to one side.
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South East African Combs
Tanzania / Mozambique / Zanzibar
MOCAMBIQUE - ASPECTOS DA CULTURA MATERIAL
Combs related to the example in the example in the Universidade De Coimbra at the Instituto De Antropologia in Portugal, were once found in Zanzibar in the north, to Mozambique in the south.
Example 'A'
The double sided comb above displays 4 abstract or stylized faces - two on either side.
Swahili Sisters Grooming Hair - Circa 1900
Example 'B'
Combs were articles of adornment, often double sided and used as hair decorations.
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Luvale - Chokwe Comb Angola - Western Zambia
This is a very classic Luvale comb called "chisakolo". Tiny adze marks appear on the conical finial.
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Ba Songye - Songe Hair Combs DRC - Congo
Zagourski and Bernatzik photographs taken in the early 20th century.
Galerie Ezakwantu purchased a collection of reed combs or hair ornaments, collected in the Congo during colonial times. Some are double sided, while others are single and or wired. Copper, brass and nickel plated iron wire was used in the region. Wooden wicker tines were carved to form, narrowed, widened, bound with wire and / or reed, creating pleasing hair ornaments meant to adorn the hair and please the eye.
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Example 'A'
Example 'B' Example 'C'
Example 'D' Example 'E'
Example 'F' Example 'G'
Example 'H' Example 'I'
Early collected, aesthetically pleasing,
Songye related hair combs.
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Snuff Spoons - Hair Ornaments
Zulu - Bhaca - Pondo - Circa 1900
Ivy's Albums - Lynn Acutt Duggan-Cronin - Bone Hair Ornament Snuff spoons were for the most part carved from bone. We know of wooden and ivory examples, as well as those of hippo tooth. Photographic evidence shows the core production area as Pondoland. The Pondo were well known for their snuff spoons, which were objects also intended to be hair ornaments and combs.
Our two examples are offered as a pair.
Many 19th century illustrations and photographs depict Southern African indigenous people adorned with snuff spoons or related hair ornaments that decorate their hair, coiffure, or in use. On the left is a Bhaca woman and to the right, a Pondo.
They are decorated in fine detail.
Sangoma by Duggan-Cronin
This photograph was taken by Duggan-Cronin of a Sangoma from the Eastern Cape taking snuff.
The taking of snuff was a widespread practice exercised by both male and female Southern African tribal peoples. The Bhaca - Pondo and Zulu are all well documented for having made these prestigious snuff spoons, which also served as a comb to adorn the head. Below - a painting by G F Angus that includes a multi-tine snuff spoon - circa 1849.
ZULU - George French Angas - The Kafirs Illustrated - 1849
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