Zulu - Pondo Snuff Spoons Hair Ornaments

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 from hippo teeth. Photographically, 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 natives 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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Himba Snuff Container - Hair Ornament

This Himba man was photographed by Neil Munro carrying a wooden neck rest and steel snuff bottle in Angola.

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Our example is much like the old man's. It comprises a bullet casing base, brass neck ring and leather stopper. It also includes a hair ornament designed to adorn, scrape sweat and remove snuff from deep within the bottle. This inner item is called a sweat scraper.

 

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