African figure West African Comb Wooden African Swahili Carved-G2196

SIZE(CM): 34/13.2
high-ranking Yaka man as a symbol of his status. At the summit of its head is a projection in the shape of a bovine head with incised oval eyes and nostrils. This projection likely depicts a coiffure or headdress associated with a high-ranking male, among whom certain headgear was a symbol of status. The "body" or grip of the comb is a flat square ornamented with incised geometric designs of triangles and hatching; unusually, it also contains the face of the comb. The face is signified by a projecting fore head and a bulbous, upturned nose with a snub end. The mouth is slightly curved, with slender lips.