Head comb
Production date
Unknown
Country
Solomon Islands
State/Province
Malaita
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Object detail
Description
Comb with 22 teeth made from black treefern corewood. Red, yellow and black orchid stem strip design plaited on handle.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander comb
Maker
Production date
Unknown
Production place
Measurements
H174 x W48mm
Media/Materials description
Wood, plant fibre
History and use
This head comb was made as a decoration to be worn in the hair, rather than as a comb to brush a person's hair.
This head comb was collected by W. H. Lawrence, who worked on labour trade vessels in the region from 1883 to circa 1900. These vessels brought Pacific Islanders, predominantly from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, to Australia as a cheap form of labour for the Australian sugar industry.
This head comb is part of the Australian South Sea Islander Kastom Collection.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
This head comb was collected by W. H. Lawrence, who worked on labour trade vessels in the region from 1883 to circa 1900. These vessels brought Pacific Islanders, predominantly from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, to Australia as a cheap form of labour for the Australian sugar industry.
This head comb is part of the Australian South Sea Islander Kastom Collection.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Associated person
Registration number
E10079
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