Ceremonial comb

Title
Ceremonial comb
Year/Period
1900-1920
Region
Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesian Archipelago
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 17 x 19.2 cm
Accession No.
W-0452

This comb, called ‘hai kara jangga’ is carved from a single piece of tortoiseshell. It has intricate, openwork carvings of animals found on the traditional textiles like deer and cockatoo. These combs are worn by women on important ceremonial days.