Ashanti Markings Hair Comb with Mangbetu elongated head in quality shadow box For Sale

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Ashanti Markings Hair Comb with Mangbetu elongated head in quality shadow box:
$29.74

We are offering this uncommon vintage hand carved, wood African hair comb.  The shadow box is made of wood, painted black with a light patterned paper lining inside.  

What makes this piece uncommon is the fact that it is a combination of an Ashanti, Ghana, Akuaba Fertility figure but showing a Mangbetu elongated sculptured, carved head.  In the past, nobles were keen to possess objects characterized by their refined qualities.  Examples in Mangbetu statuary are considered to be rare.  This elongated head is similar to items in the inventory of the Museum of Ethnography in Berlin and Stuttgart.  

CONDITION:  This vintage piece is undated.  It does not show any extensive wear or aging.  It has been preserved in its quality shadow box frame provided by the long established, highly regarded, professional framing of  Picture Source, a framing business still located in Seattle, Washington.  There are a few very small specks on the last right tine and on the inside of the glass of the frame.  They are visible in the photos provided.  You may have to look closely, they are that small.   

SIZE:  The frame measures 14 5/8 by 7 7/8 inches and 2 inches deep.   The hair comb piece measures 7 3/4 by 3 1/2 inches with the head, the thickest part, measuring over one inch thick.    The comb has six tines. 

MATERIAL:  African carved wood with black head and body and natural wood colored tines.  

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:  In many African cultures like the Chokwe Culture of Angola, the Ashanti Culture in southern Ghana, and the Mangbetu Culture, all had significance for combs.  Among the Ashanti and other groups, the combs were given by men to fiancees, wives and girl friends as an act of devotion and commitment.   The wearing of hair combs also would show a woman\'s prestige in many cultures because the hair combs would keep the woman\'s hair well coiffed and well kept, demonstrating that she is wealthy and never needs to carry freight on her head.   The Mangbetu are a Central Sudanic ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, living in the northeastern province of Haut-Uele.  The Mangbetu live between the Uele River in the north and the Bomokandi River in the south.  These people are patriarchal.  The Mangbetu practice the elongation of the skull (dolichoprosia).   The elongated head denotes majesty and status.   The Chokwe Culture of Angola used combs that often are characterized by a human head with a precise coiffure on an elongated neck for the handle.   

This particular comb shows the elongated head with a smooth, bald appearance.  The neck suggests a slightly elongated neck but not the pronounced, elongated neck of the Chokwe.  The body below the head and neck has an abstract design for the body.  The abstract design shown on the body portion is very similar to some Ashanti hair combs.   The elongated head, peculiar to the Mangbetu culture, appears to be that of a handsome, strong, male which strongly suggests that this may a fertility piece.

This is a very uncommon hair comb in almost new condition.    

This piece came from a Central Florida estate.

This framed piece will be sent by USPS Priority Mail.  

Ashanti Markings Hair Comb with Mangbetu elongated head in quality shadow box

$29.74

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