Set of 3 combs - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire
07
days
01
hour
35
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23
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€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
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Lot of three carved wooden combs from the Baoulé people of Côte d'Ivoire, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Baoulé
Wood
Dimensions from left:
height: 20 cm - width: 7 cm - depth: 1 cm
height: 24 cm - width: 6 cm - depth: 1 cm
height: 23.5 cm - width: 7 cm - depth: 1 cm
This lot of three carved wooden combs comes from the Baoulé people of Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa).
Among the Baoulé, the wooden comb exceeds its simple function as a toiletry accessory to become a true object of art, of prestige and of social communication.
Stylistic Features and Observations of the Pieces
Visible from both faces, these objects share the finesse of Baoulé wood sculpture while displaying decorative variants:
• The long-toothed structure: The three combs have long, thick, sharp teeth, meticulously cut and polished. This spacing and robustness are perfectly suited for caring for, detangling, and braiding Afro-textured hair.
• The left comb: It is distinguished by a concave summit forming two points reminiscent of horns, adorned at its base with a frieze of geometric motifs incised in interlocking chevrons, a decorative motif recurring in Baoulé crafts.
• The middle comb: Its central part is carved with a large X-shaped cross. Its handle stretches upward to end in a flared, geometric spatulate shape.
• The right comb: It presents an elongated silhouette. The base of the grip and the curved handle are decorated with fine squared, checkered engravings, reminiscent of scarification patterns visible on their statuary.
Use and Traditional Functions among the Baoulé
In Baoulé society, these combs fulfill a triple function:
• Hairdressing and utility: Hairstyle is a major component of identity. These combs are used to create the intricate braids and buns that indicate a woman's age, marital status, or social rank.
• Ornament and prestige adornment: Once the hairstyle was finished, these sculpted combs were not stored away. They were frequently planted directly in the woman’s hair as a headpiece, a jewelry display of elegance, vanity, and rank within the community.
• Emotional and symbolic value: These intimate art objects were often carved by men to be given to women (fiancée, wife, or mother) as tokens of love, respect, or wedding gifts. The geometric motifs carved often serve as silent messages or wishes of protection.
The Baoulé are one of the major ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire. Their name translates their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people in an exodus toward the gold-mining regions during the 18th century; she was forced to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to cross it. The people were thereafter called the “Bauli,” meaning: “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists have produced numerous works of art and remain very active today. With their sense of stylization and attention to detail, they have created pieces that rank among the most elegant African objects. The Baoulé have created masks, statues, figurines, fetishes, combs, chairs, loom weights, canes, spearheads, slings, ointment boxes, oracle boxes, divination boxes, carved doors, bead necklaces, as well as gold and bronze jewelry worn during major ceremonies.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost in 1 to 3 days in France and 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery for the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak English.
African mask art African mask art African mask art art of African masks art of African mask
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Baoulé
Wood
Dimensions from left:
height: 20 cm - width: 7 cm - depth: 1 cm
height: 24 cm - width: 6 cm - depth: 1 cm
height: 23.5 cm - width: 7 cm - depth: 1 cm
This lot of three carved wooden combs comes from the Baoulé people of Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa).
Among the Baoulé, the wooden comb exceeds its simple function as a toiletry accessory to become a true object of art, of prestige and of social communication.
Stylistic Features and Observations of the Pieces
Visible from both faces, these objects share the finesse of Baoulé wood sculpture while displaying decorative variants:
• The long-toothed structure: The three combs have long, thick, sharp teeth, meticulously cut and polished. This spacing and robustness are perfectly suited for caring for, detangling, and braiding Afro-textured hair.
• The left comb: It is distinguished by a concave summit forming two points reminiscent of horns, adorned at its base with a frieze of geometric motifs incised in interlocking chevrons, a decorative motif recurring in Baoulé crafts.
• The middle comb: Its central part is carved with a large X-shaped cross. Its handle stretches upward to end in a flared, geometric spatulate shape.
• The right comb: It presents an elongated silhouette. The base of the grip and the curved handle are decorated with fine squared, checkered engravings, reminiscent of scarification patterns visible on their statuary.
Use and Traditional Functions among the Baoulé
In Baoulé society, these combs fulfill a triple function:
• Hairdressing and utility: Hairstyle is a major component of identity. These combs are used to create the intricate braids and buns that indicate a woman's age, marital status, or social rank.
• Ornament and prestige adornment: Once the hairstyle was finished, these sculpted combs were not stored away. They were frequently planted directly in the woman’s hair as a headpiece, a jewelry display of elegance, vanity, and rank within the community.
• Emotional and symbolic value: These intimate art objects were often carved by men to be given to women (fiancée, wife, or mother) as tokens of love, respect, or wedding gifts. The geometric motifs carved often serve as silent messages or wishes of protection.
The Baoulé are one of the major ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire. Their name translates their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people in an exodus toward the gold-mining regions during the 18th century; she was forced to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to cross it. The people were thereafter called the “Bauli,” meaning: “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists have produced numerous works of art and remain very active today. With their sense of stylization and attention to detail, they have created pieces that rank among the most elegant African objects. The Baoulé have created masks, statues, figurines, fetishes, combs, chairs, loom weights, canes, spearheads, slings, ointment boxes, oracle boxes, divination boxes, carved doors, bead necklaces, as well as gold and bronze jewelry worn during major ceremonies.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost in 1 to 3 days in France and 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery for the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak English.
African mask art African mask art African mask art art of African masks art of African mask
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Set of 3 combs
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Weight
0.22 kg
Sold by
