A Fine Malaita, Solomon Islands Man's Comb 'Faa'
A Fine Malaita, Solomon Islands Man’s Comb ‘Faa’
Early 20th Century
Size : 20.5 cm long, 10.5 cm wide – 8 ins long, 4 ins wide
Early 20th Century
Size : 20.5 cm long, 10.5 cm wide – 8 ins long, 4 ins wide
See Finch & Co catalogue no. 5 ( item no. 17 ) for two similar examples
The teeth of these combs are made from the split sections of the core of tree ferns. The yellow fibre is the vascular tissue of the orchid vine. The red is the waxy tissue of the coconut palm dyed red with an extract of morinda root.
These beautiful combs were made by the East Kwaio hill people of Malaita Island from where they were traded down to the coast and onward to other areas of the Solomon's. They are worn by men often together with the ear sticks plaited from the same materials.
The teeth of these combs are made from the split sections of the core of tree ferns. The yellow fibre is the vascular tissue of the orchid vine. The red is the waxy tissue of the coconut palm dyed red with an extract of morinda root.
These beautiful combs were made by the East Kwaio hill people of Malaita Island from where they were traded down to the coast and onward to other areas of the Solomon's. They are worn by men often together with the ear sticks plaited from the same materials.
A Fine Malaita, Solomon Islands Man's Comb 'Faa'
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