
mid 20th century
Wood
A carved wooden comb features two stylized faces stacked vertically above three tines. Hairstyles have long reflected personal aesthetics in African and African-American cultures. And when adorned with extensions, beads, pins, or combs, they can indicate a person’s status, ethnic origin, gender, profession, or even what phase of life they’re in. These three combs, from West and Central Africa, show how African artists turn even everyday objects into accomplished carvings. Gallery G254 Gift of George W. Rickey in memory of Edith L. Rickey
Tags
You may like
Building a new visual wall from this artwork...