Comb Item Number: Ac250 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Brown comb made from one piece of wood. It has ten long, straight, thick, tapered teeth that are evenly-spaced. Narrow handle with triangular areas composed of incised parallel lines at different angles. The two comb sides differ in design. Sitting in crouched position and hugging centre of handle is forward-facing human figure, arms and hands supported by knees also support elongated head from under chin. Head slopes down towards back. Head covering or coiffure patterned with same design as on comb handle. Face and hands are light brown.
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 figure on top of the comb is in a common pose in Chokwe sculpture, referred to as the "Thinker". The pose represents ancestral spirits.
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
- 0509/0023