Asante Wood Comb Ghana

Asante Carved Wooden Comb – Ghana, Mid-20th Century

This carved wooden comb originates from the Asante (Ashanti) people of Ghana and dates to the mid-20th century. Among the Asante, combs were more than utilitarian grooming tools; they carried significant social and symbolic meaning. Often exchanged as tokens of affection or included in marriage contexts, such objects conveyed ideals of beauty, status, and cultural identity.

Hand-carved from hardwood, the comb features carefully incised geometric patterns and stylized motifs along the handle, elevating it from a purely functional object to one of personal adornment and prestige. The craftsmanship reflects the refined artistic traditions for which the Asante are widely known.

Both practical and decorative, this comb stands as a fine example of Asante material culture, illustrating how everyday objects were imbued with aesthetic value and social meaning.

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