The Spanish Comb

Two large Indian carved and pierced hair combs or vanity combs

$100

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Two wooden pierced vanity or dressing combs from the Indian sub continent

CONDITION: good vintage condition with signs of wear

SIZE: SIZE: 10 x 3½ ins (26 x 9 cm)

MATERIALS: softwood

DESCRIPTION:

These ornaments are fretted wooden combs from the Punjabi region of north western India, made in the same way for generations. Craftsmen in these areas still produced combs for their own use in traditional styles well into the 20th century.

Such combs are typically carved out from one piece of the material, whether wood, cowbone, or metal. The end pieces of the comb mount are typically much thicker than those in the centre. This serves the function of protecting the inner more delicate teeth.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Indian subcontinent presents us with a rich history of lavish articles of personal adornment and grooming. The elaborate hair styles which we see in carvings and miniature paintings could not have been achieved without combs to groom the hair. The lustrous long black hair of Indian women provided an ideal foil for lavish jewellery and was also an attribute of which they took great personal care. Additionally jewellery and items of personal care such as combs, mirrors, perfumes, oil and kohl symbolized religious adherence, marital status, and caste and formed part of a dowry which a girl brought to marriage.

The large and diverse range of wooden grooming combs found in north west India and the regions of what is now Pakistan show much cross fertilization of basic ideas. Hand crafted from local woods they range from unadorned combs to elaborately decorated ones with surface carving and piercing.

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Item id: DUP25-1-022
Color: Brown
Item type: Vintage
Fashion era: 1900's