Comb Item Number: Ac251 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Light brown comb made from one piece of wood. It has seven long, thick, and tapered teeth. The tip of one tooth is broken. Teeth are evenly-spaced, and some are slightly angled in spots. Rectangular handle has pattern of horizontal jagged, zigzag lines. The other side of the handle is decorated with triangular areas of incised lines. Projecting from top of handle's centre is female head. It has a pointed chin, and all facial features are elongated horizontally and are bunched up. It has cupped ears, and the cylindrical head covering or coiffure is deeply incised crisscrossing lines. The back of the comb is flat as is the top of the head.
History Of Use
Placed in hair set with red mud and castor oil. Combs used as a headdress hold coiffure together.
Cultural Context
hair styling; decorative
Narrative
The collector, Nellie Taylor, served as a nursing missionary (1900-1920), first with the Ovimbundu at Bihe, then with the Chokwe at luma Kasai. She belonged to a group who sponsored several missions across Central Africa from 1881-1931.
Iconographic Meaning
The female head on top of the comb reflects motherhood, and possbily a Pwo.
Item History
- Made in Luma Kasai, Angola before 1920
- Collected between 1900 and 1920
- Owned by Nellie Taylor
- Owned by Gladys G. Cameron before January 12, 1979
- Received from Gladys G. Cameron (Donor) on January 12, 1979
What
Who
- Culture
- Chokwe
- Previous Owner
- Nellie Taylor and Gladys G. Cameron
- Received from
- Gladys G. Cameron (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Luma Kasai, Angola
When
- Creation Date
- before 1920
- Collection Date
- between 1900 and 1920
- Ownership Date
- before January 12, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on January 12, 1979
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0509/0024