Monday 22 October 2012

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 @ AMR 1974. We have failed to learn of the AMR identity.
 
 
 
 
Abstract figures appear in the breast / torso area of the comb.

 
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This comb is cited on Wikipedia's 'comb' page. Click here to see. It is credited on Wiki's  'Afro' pageClick here to see.
 
 
 
 
 
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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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baule Elephant Comb
 
Côte d'Ivoire - Ivory Coast
 
Click Thumbnails for Larger Images
 
 
 
 
This is well used Baule (Baoule) comb. The Baule reside in both Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
 
Click Thumbnails for Larger Images
 
 
 
 
 
The comb was most like made in the Ivory Coast - as the maker carved 300 F (Francs) to one side.
 


 
Source:
http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20African%20Combs%20-%20Hair%20Ornaments.htm
 
 

1 comment:

  1. These are beautiful hand crafted combs. I love Adinkra symbols and they remind me so much of some.

    ReplyDelete