Ornamental comb "faa" ·  Solomon Islands - Malaita · ID: 3040225

Description

32 teeth made from split sections of the core of tree ferns, fixed together with a decorative plaiting of red and yellow strips, the yellow is vascular tissue of orchid vine and the red is waxy tissue of coconut palm dyed red with an extract of Morinda root, red colour slightly faded, metal base;
these combs are made by the East Kwaio hill people of Malaita Island, from where they were traded down to the coast and onward to other areas of the Solomons.

Comparing literature

Conru, Kevin, Solomon Islands Art, Milan 2008, p. 163