H x W x D: 43.2 x 23.5 x 1.6 cm (17 x 9 1/4 x 5/8 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Ghana
Date:
Mid 20th century
Label Text:
Large wooden combs are a specialized art form among the Akan. While some might be used to hold a woman's hair during styling, most were intended solely as gifts to mark a special occasion in a woman's life. On this comb, an open rectangular center originally held a mirro. It is topped by three disk shaped heads, the ideal of beauty found in akua ba figure. The akua ba symbol is particularly appropriate on a gift from a husband to his wife, either to mark the birth of a child or the desire for one. Incised below the heads are two weapons, a spear and a rifle.
Description:
Comb with rectangular mirror frame topped by three arches with heads. Metal plate repair on reverse.
Provenance:
Emil J. Arnold, New York, -- to 1968
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