Luba comb
Diversity of traditional Luba art
A wooden comb displaying a beautiful patina and colour. To the top of the comb, forming a handle, is the figure of a standing, naked female. The hair is a small cap like area to the top of the head with the face being large and oval. The eyes are half closed and narrow and are framed by arching brows. The small wedge shaped nose has high cheekbones to the sides. The small mouth is open and has a pointed chin below. The body is tubular in shape with prominent breasts and pubis. The arms are bent at the elbows with the hands resting above the stomach. The short legs are bent at the knees and rest on the body of the comb, which is plain and has six long teeth to the base. Mounted on a custom made stand.
The Luba, like many African peoples, have turned simple, everyday objects into small masterpieces of art. These combs are not necessarily meant for untangling the hair, but are worn as decoration to enhance the elaborate hairstyles of the Luba women. They are often given by a male relative to a female member of the family once they have come of age. It symbolises the girls transition to womanhood as well as conferring on her a sense of pride in her beauty and appearance. This is echoed by the small image of the female at the top of this comb, which represents the expression of Luba concepts of ideal beauty.
02063
Data sheet
- Size
- 28 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Condition
- Bon
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Diversity of traditional Luba art
A wooden comb displaying a beautiful patina and colour. To the top of the comb, forming a handle, is the figure of a standing, naked female. The hair is a small cap like area to the top of the head with the face being large and oval. The eyes are half closed and narrow and are framed by arching brows. The small wedge shaped nose has high cheekbones to the sides. The small mouth is open and has a pointed chin below. The body is tubular in shape with prominent breasts and pubis. The arms are bent at the elbows with the hands resting above the stomach. The short legs are bent at the knees and rest on the body of the comb, which is plain and has six long teeth to the base. Mounted on a custom made stand.
The Luba, like many African peoples, have turned simple, everyday objects into small masterpieces of art. These combs are not necessarily meant for untangling the hair, but are worn as decoration to enhance the elaborate hairstyles of the Luba women. They are often given by a male relative to a female member of the family once they have come of age. It symbolises the girls transition to womanhood as well as conferring on her a sense of pride in her beauty and appearance. This is echoed by the small image of the female at the top of this comb, which represents the expression of Luba concepts of ideal beauty.