Sepik Comb
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