H x W x D: 28.6 x 12.7 x 1.3 cm (11 1/4 x 5 x 1/2 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Ghana
Date:
Early-mid-20th century
Label Text:
This comb combines both traditional local motifs and European imports. The rectangular top has on one side incised silhouettes of six women working, carrying loads on their heads and using mortars and pestles but with the English inscription "Love each other." On the reverse side the scene depicts a seated man wearing a pith helmet, holding an oversized cup on a table. A European stand mirror and a decanter are also on the table. A pennant flag flys over the man while oversize connected heart forms fill the far right side of the scene. The three tiered openwork design at the top layers a table with two vessels, stacked geometric forms and two hearts flanked by Sankofa birds of Akan proverbs. Two Akan stools top the comb.
Description:
Large wood comb with fourteen teeth. Rectangular top with incised scenes depicting silhouettes of six women working, carrying loads on head, using mortar and pestle; inscription above. On the other side the scene depicts a seated man in pith helmet holding oversized cup on table. European stand mirror and stoppard bottle sit on table. Flag at left above figure, connected heart forms (?) on far right. Openwork top with three tiers of designs. First tier at bottom - table with two vessels, stacked geometric forms, flanked by two pairs of balustrade forms. Second tier - two hearts flanked by sankofa birds. Third tier - two stools flank central damaged crown-like object.
Provenance:
William Brill, New York, -- to 1968
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