A Fine Malaita, Solomon Islands Man's Comb 'Faa' (1900 to 2000 Solomon Islands)

Fibre and split sections of the core of tree ferns

20.50cm high    (  8.07 inches high)

Provenance : Brought back from the Soloman Islands by the Reverend Browning in the early 20th century. From the collection of his descendants

See Finch & Co catalogue no. 5 ( item no. 17 ) for two similar examples

The teeth of these combs are made from the split sections of the core of tree ferns. The yellow fibre is the vascular tissue of the orchid vine. The red is the waxy tissue of the coconut palm dyed red with an extract of morinda root.
These beautiful combs were made by the East Kwaio hill people of Malaita Island from where they were traded down to the coast and onward to other areas of the Solomon's. They are worn by men often together with the ear sticks plaited from the same materials.

A Fine Malaita, Solomon Islands Man’s Comb ‘Faa’
Early 20th Century

Size : 20.5 cm long, 10.5 cm wide – 8 ins long, 4 ins wide