Kulango figurative comb, Ivory Coast

Figurative Carved Comb
Côte d’Ivoire, North-East (Bondoukou region), Koulango (or Kulango)

Carved and patinated wood
Height: 28 cm
(Sold with its stand)

The comb is composed of six long tapered teeth extending from a rectangular body decorated with geometric motifs. On this surface, two raised forms evoke a female chest, a symbol of fertility. Incised decorations — triangles, cross-hatched lines, and chevron patterns — reinforce the object’s graphic aesthetic. The upper part features a stylized female face with a ringed neck. The dark, lustrous patina indicates prolonged handling.

Among the Koulango, carved combs may serve several functions. They are items of personal adornment used in maintaining the elaborate hairstyles characteristic of West African societies. They can also serve as symbols of status or identity: owned or worn by women, they express refinement, femininity, and sometimes marital status. Finally, they may have a ritual or protective role: certain figurative combs, especially those topped with human figures, can function as amulets or protective objects associated with fertility and motherhood.