Baule Carved Figural Wooden Comb Congo
Width: 3.0
Depth: 1.0
Description
The Baule are celebrated for their mastery of wood carving, particularly their portrait masks and figures, admired globally for their elegance, refinement, and spiritual potency. These creations often embody ideals of grace, beauty, composure, and ancestral presence. While this object is not a mask, it belongs to the same artistic and ceremonial universe that the Baule are known for.
Carved wooden combs like this one hold both practical and symbolic value in Baule culture. Beyond grooming, they serve as personal ornaments and markers of identity, often presented as cherished gifts or kept as treasured possessions. The finely carved figure at the top reflects the Baule emphasis on balanced proportions, calm facial expression, and harmonious design qualities believed to express inner character and spiritual well-being. Combs were sometimes associated with rites of passage, expressions of status, or connections to ancestral lineage, making them more than everyday objects. Their intricate geometric patterns and sculpted figures demonstrate the same level of craftsmanship found in Baule masks and sculptures, tying this comb to a broader artistic tradition rooted in beauty, symbolism, and cultural continuity.
Height: 9.5
Width: 3.0
Depth: 1.0
152731
Approximate Age: Mid 20th Century
People: Baule
Country of Origin: Democractic Republic of the Congo, or Angola
Material
Condition
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
