Combs were ordered from carvers and given as gifts by admirers to women, or by a husband to his wife, often to mark special events, including at the initial marriage and wedding ceremony. They were used both as personal ornaments (Ashanti women often had high hairstyles that could have supported such a comb), and for utilitarian purposes. But many combs were kept by families for memento reasons because they were usually given as gifts. Provenance: Majestic Gallery, Paris