This Kwere comb is surmounted by a female head, with a sweeping double-parted coiffure. The body of the comb features a pair of pointed breasts, and has been decorated on both sides with finely carved decorations. A beautiful aspect of this comb is its wonderful smooth patina, which is particularly present around the edges of the coiffure, ears and face of the carved female.
Amongst the Kwere combs such as this would have been given as a bridal or dowry gift by a man to a woman, often by a father of the bride to his daughter. Kept as a symbol of marriage, these prized possessions would be passed down from mother to daughter.
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