Two ornamental combs

Description

a) comb “faa”, Malaita, 21 fan-like arranged teeth from split sections of the core of tree ferns, the handle decorated with fine plaited orchid bast in red, yellow and black, wood, h: 14,5 cm, b) comb “arapa”, Ulawa, 16 teeth, handle with mother-of-pearl inlay, wood, missing part (headpiece of the handle), h: 16,5 cm;
such combs were worn by men throughout the south-eastern Solomon islands. They were among the body ornaments first noticed and recorded by visitors to the islands. Probably the earliest reference was made by John Webster in 1851: “they wore on their heads an ornamented comb with which they frizzle out their hair into a large mob”.

Notices

This object is subject to CITES. Please note that it can only be sent within the European Union. At the present time export in third countries is prohibited, respectively, export licenses in third countries for objects containing or made of protected materials are only granted under stringent conditions.