Comb

Artist Malawian Artist

Date1980

Place of originMalawi, Africa

PurchasedMalawi, Africa

MediumWood, natural fiber (cotton or wool)

DimensionsOverall: 9 x 6 x 1/4 in. (22.86 x 15.24 x 0.64 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineGift of Dr. Anita Spring

Object number2023.31.12

Collections

AFRICAN

Visual DescriptionTrapezoidal shaped comb with wooden teeth wrapped in brown and tan fibers on the upper portion.

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Comb

Malawian Artist

1980

Bowl form made by twined thin sisal and bark fibers, alternating multi-colored bands; small tufts on edges; Bands of yellow, dark brown, light brown and pink, on upper portion and dark brown and tan bands with yellow on lower portion (inconsistent pattern of horizontal stripes of varying widths)

Twined work basket (Kidasi)

Taita Artist

late 20th century

Flaring bowl shaped basket with large loops sewn on outer surface. Constructed sides of sweetgrass, light tan fibers, on 5 rows of base, with bulrush on upper portion of bowl, and 4 sweetgrass coils forming the loops (or "ears") and one bulrush outer coil. Coils are stitched together with palm leaf fibers.

Elephant Ear Basket

Alethia Foreman

2012

Cylindrical form wrapped with glass and plastic bead strands (red, white, green, pink, dark blue), red wool or other fiber strands covering top, with a white interlaced beadwork disk in center, attached to strands of white, pink and blue, ands braided or white glass beads on each side.

Doll (nguana modula)

Southern Sotho Artist

20th century

Sifter

Congolese Artist (Democratic Republic of Congo)

c. 1978

Cylindrical form wrapped with fiber, and hair and long braided strands on top. Glass or plastic bead strands on top and neck (yellow and blue beads) and wood or other brown beads (?) encircling form. Entire form is covered with red ochre

Doll

Ambo Artist, Mwila group

20th century

A knitted, burled cap of blue and tan fibers, with small finger-like projections and attached metal coins, glass beads, reeds and cowry shells.

Man's Prestige Hat (ashetu)

Bamum Artist

20th century

A dark wooden mask featuring deep round eyes, a prominent nose, and an open mouth showing teeth. Cowrie shells are attached to the upper edge, and a thick fringe of dark feathers and fibers surrounds the lower face.

Mask (gle)

Dan Artist

undated

Cylindrical wooden core wrapped with fiber; braided strands of fiber interspersed with glass or plastic bead strands (white and other colors) on top, nearly all covered with red ochre. Cotton cloth skirt wrapped around base. Yellow beaded strands crossed over raised mounds (breasts or arms?).

Doll

Ambo Artist, Mwila, Ndemba group

20th century

Bowl form made by twined thin sisal and bark fibers, alternating multi-colored bands; small tufts on edges; Horizontal bands of dark brown and light brown ( undyed fiber, light tan) with 4 bands in between of dark brown vertical columns

Twined work basket (Kidasi)

Taita Artist

late 20th century

Brown wooden face mask of with large open mouth and carved teeth and two skull holes.

Face Mask (mbop)

Ibibio Artist

20th century

Rectangular blanket made from 5 strips, 9 in. each; fringes on each end. Stripes and lozenge patterns; black, reddish brown and yellow ochre on white field. Front is discolored (brownish) but back is white.

Blanket (kaasa or kassa)

Fulani Artist

20th century