Antique Baoulé loom comb – Ivory Coast – traditional African art - Wood - Côte d'Ivoire - 1950

Ancient Baoulé loom comb – Ivory Coast – Traditional African art

Ancient loom comb attributed to the Baoulé culture, in Ivory Coast, West Africa. This artisanal tool bears witness to traditional weaving techniques and the textile know-how of the region’s populations.

Primarily made of wood, this piece features a dark, deep patina developed over time and handling. Its structure consists of side uprights assembled and held together by leather bindings and cords of twisted vegetal fibers. The central part stands out for its regular assembly of fine natural splinters, traditionally reeds or split bamboo.

Both a testament to ancient artisanal know-how and a decorative object with authentic character, this weaver’s comb will interest collectors of traditional African arts, ethnography enthusiasts, and lovers of antique textiles.

Function and use

In traditional weaving of cotton bands intended especially for making loincloths, the comb plays an essential role. It maintains the spacing of the warp threads and compacts the weft threads after each pass of the shuttle, in order to obtain dense and regular fabric.

This tool thus illustrates an important step in traditional textile production in West Africa.

Condition

Good overall antique condition, with a pronounced patina from use and time visible on the different parts of the structure. The bindings show signs of wear compatible with long-term use.

The object preserves its antique and artisanal character. Its condition and conservation details are visible in the photographs.

Characteristics

* Type: loom comb / traditional weaver’s tool
* Culture attributed: Baoulé (Baule)
* Origin: Ivory Coast, West Africa
* Materials: wood, fine vegetal splints, bindings in leather and vegetal fibers
* Estimated period: first half of the 20th century, around 1930-1950
* Condition: good overall used condition, with old patina