Inventory no.: 2936

Sepik Comb

SOLD

Carved Wooden Comb

Nukuma People, Sepik Region, New Guinea

late 19th century

length: 27cm

This attractive, long comb or hair decoration is carved from a single piece of wood. It has ten teeth – one is short or has been shortened but has been finished with a spike like all the others.

The handle is decorated on both sides with zig-zag borders and other geometric motifs.

A related Nukuma wooden comb comprised lot 76c in Sotheby’s London sale, ‘African, Oceanic, Pre-Columbian and American Indian Works of Art’, of April 30, 1982.

The comb has an excellent patina from age and use.

References

Sotheby’s London, ‘African, Oceanic, Pre-Columbian and American Indian Works of Art’, April 30, 1982.Provenance:

private collection, Guernsey.

Inventory no.: 2936

SOLD