Comb Item Number: E 1903.59 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Description
A carved ceremonial comb baring a raven head on one side with a fine carved projecting beak and upright ears with split U-forms. Below the frontlet-like raven face a round-eyed creature is depicted full frontally, while flanking it on both sides are two profile faces. The teeth of the comb are finely shaped and smoothed below the faces. On the rear of the comb is a fat cheeked humanoid face surrounded by a grooved border. Above the face are cross- hatched ears, and below are hand or paw-likedesigns.; Good
Context
The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; Combs were used by shaman to secure their hair, which was never cut, into a bundle on their heads. When practising the shamans wore their hair down. In general combs were also used by others, Niblack in 1890 noted that the Tlingit liked to dress their hair and used combs, many of which were finely carved (quoted in Emmons The Tlingit Indians 1991, University of Washington Press: Seattle and London, page 242). The combs were often worn as ornaments (G.Crowther).; Exhibited: Old Anthropological displays at CUMAA, case 36, dismantled 22081986. New Anthropological displays, square case, 1990-.
Item History
- Made in Alaska, USA and British Columbia, Canada ?
- Received from Anatole von Hgel during 1903
What
- Name
- Comb
- Identification Number
- E 1903.59
- Type of Item
- comb
- Material
- wood and alder wood ?
Who
- Culture
- Haida ? or Tlingit ?
- Received from
- Anatole von Hgel
Where
- Holding Institution
- MAA: University of Cambridge
- Made in
- Alaska, USA and British Columbia, Canada ?
When
- Acquisition Date
- during 1903
Other
- Keyword
- Personal Adornment; Magic and Religion