Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 2013-0006-0039   CAS 2013-0006-0039; Comb / hair ornament
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Carvings
Object Name Comb / hair ornament
Culture Micronesian: Chuukese
Global Region Oceania
Country Federated States of Micronesia
State/Prov./Dist. Chuuk (Truk)
County
Other Geographic Data Village: Wonip, Faichuk region, Tol Island, Caroline Islands
Maker's Name Isikar
Date of Manufacture ca. 1964
Collection Name Richmond Collection (Chuuk Islands)
Materials Wood
Description Hair comb and/or ornament carved from a single piece of wood; Short cylindrical handle flares out to form rectangular comb that is flat on both faces and carved with seven elongated cylindrical teeth, all of which taper toward their distal ends; Just above the point where the teeth are conjoined, a decorative black band encircles the comb and is carved with negative “X” shapes; A rectangular block of wood was left during the carving near the base of the handle, possibly to serve as a kind of hand guard; The block of wood is painted black on its edges and scored with series of short parallel lines forming “X” designs; Pair of holes is also drilled through it (one hole flanking each side of the handle) and would have originally held a rooster feather for additional decoration when the comb was worn in the hair.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 6.7, Thickness = 2.1, Length = 27.9