African Tribal Art

Akan Prestige Comb

Culture: Akan
Origin: Ghana
Period: 20th century
Object: Comb
Materials: Wood
Dimensions: 34 cm high
Catalogue: TRB-005

A carved wooden comb of the Akan peoples of Ghana. Uniting the useful and the beautiful is a central concern of Akan craft, and this applies particularly to elaborately worked everyday objects such as combs. Prestige combs were a favoured hair ornament among well-placed women and were also valued as gifts given to deepen relationships and friendships.

Provenance

Estate of Madeleine and Jean-Jacques Keller (Abidjan until 1980, thereafter Rheinfelden)

Acquired

HAMMER AUKTIONEN, African, Oceanic, Asian and Ancient Art · 2020