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African Combs / Hair Ornaments

 

Peignes Africains - Afrikanische Haarkämme

 

Afrikanische Haarkamm - Afrikanische Kamm

 

 

 

 

 

Snuff Spoons Hair Ornaments

 

Zulu - 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.

 

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Our two examples are offered as a pair and include fine detailed designs.

  

 

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 a to the right, an Pondo.

 

 

ZULU - George French Angas - The Kafirs Illustrated - 1849

 

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Ba Yaka Hair Comb

 

Angola - Congo

 

 

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This late 19th or early 20th century Yaka hair comb is typical of early collected examples, in that they seldom had more than four tines. Facial features remain true to Yaka sculpture. The patina on this rare and authentic example is deep and yellowed.

 

 

The Yaka live along the Kwango river in Angola and DRC. Oral history indicates that the Yaka and Suku were part of an invasion against the Kongo Kingdom that came from the Lunda plateau in the 16th century.

 

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South East African Combs

 

Tanzania / Mozambique / Zanzibar

 

 

 

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.

 

          

 

The double sided comb above displays 4 abstract or stylized faces.

 

(Each comb has been photographed front and back.)

 

         

 

Combs were articles of adornment, often double sided and used as hair decorations.

 

 

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This example is almost identical to that at the Universidade De Coimbra in Portugal.

 

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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.

 

 

Another

 

        

 

This Luvale chisakolo exhibits two carved heads - one with a traditional coiffeur - the other with a colon type police cap. Both were traditionally darkened with pokerwork.

 

   

 

On both sides of the comb "below" the two heads, carved ying-yang type designs are found. In this case they signify a lekembe or thumb piano. Graphical carvings were applied to status objects and in this case, used to add the lekembes "sound of music".

 

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Prestige Combs

 

Ashanti - Akan - Fante

 

Ghana

 

 

All Akan speaking women of Ghana, the Anyi, Ashanti, Baoule, Fante and their slaves included, used hair combs. Depending on her wealth or beauty, a woman might have owned three or four. They could have been purchased, obtained as a gift from admirers, or presented at marriage. Huge old bridal examples were used to adorn the home.

 

         

 

This oversized prestige example was likely a bridal comb. It is as beautiful as it is regal, measuring + - 33 cms / 13 inches. The two faces are representations of an Akuaba doll, which itself represents fertility, beauty and life. These heads and a rising star surmount a throne, it suited for a king or queen. Combs such as this have been used for hundreds of years to adorn the homes and palaces of the Ashanti.

 

Another

 

 

     

 

This smaller example also has two Akuaba faces and measures + - 27 cms, or 10.5 inches. The deep patina confirms it was well used as a hair comb / hair ornament.

 

 

Another

 

 

          

 

This fine old Ashanti or Akan comb includes two delightful detailed snakes.

 

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. The snake motif said; A snake is like a rope, but is not to be used to tie a load. (+ - 17 cms / 6.5 inches)

 

Another

 

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This example includes symbolism and proverbs overall. (+ - 23 cms / 9 inches) Its construction is similar to the field image placed above. Be sure to use the thumbs provided to view finer details.

 

Another

 

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A stunning Akan wedding comb surmounted with two birds.

 

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We are told the object is of  sankofa design. The symbolism of two birds facing opposite directions indicates this was the property of a chiefs wife. The proverb reads: "The chief sees everything, even what is behind him".  

 

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Each side of the royal comb sports uniquely different abstractionism. (+ - 41.5 cms / 16 inches)
 

Another

 

 

         

 

Combs found in Northern Ghana tend to use geographic shapes after Islamic influence for two centuries. This example may however display an abstract central human form. (+ - 20 cms / 8 inches)

 

Another

 

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For the same reason, this stunning old comb with abstract shape is likely from northern Ghana.

 

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Front and rear views of this tall marriage comb of great age. (+ - 33.5 cms / 13 inches)

 

Another

 

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This stunning Ashanti comb includes a  representation of an Akuaba doll. It appears to have been made in 1974 and was stamped @AMR. We have tried, but failed, to learn about the entity. The exceptionally refined object appears to be made from a sort of ceramic material a-fixed to an inner core. The core is heavy and may be pewter.

 

 

@ AMR  1974

 

       

 

Abstract figures appear in the breast and torso area. (+ - 24 cms / 9.5 inches)

 

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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 some 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, to create appeasing hair ornaments meant to adorn the hair and please the eye.

 

This is a rare opportunity offering  great selection.

 

Click on the thumbs to open larger images.  Contact us for prices.

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Early collected, aesthetically pleasing, Songye related hair combs.

 

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World leaders in aesthetically pleasing, authentic tribal art from Southern Africa.

 

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