2 African? combs

Just recently I bought these two combs, together with other stuf from mainly Asia. These combs look more african to me, however. Anybody any ideas about tribe and age? Or maybe Asian after all?
The wooden comb measures is about 21,5 cm high, the reed?/wood/(yellow) copper wire one about 25 cm. The materials of the latter one look like more moderns songye combs i've seen, but i've never seen one with such a thin handle.

 

very nice....i'd say pacific islands....
the 1st....solomon...perhaps

 

Wecome to the forum, JohnNL. Dutch? In that case welkom op het forum.
Lovely combs and nice pictures, John. They are both Indonesian.
The first one is Moluccas, maybe Tanimbar, but a relatively simple one.

The symmetric birds are very Indonesian, the compartment decoration is typical of the gorgeous Tanimbar combs.


The second one is Balinese, the shape represents Dewi Sri, the Goddess of rice. Dewi Sri symbolism, recognizable by the flared skirt, is everywhere in Bali.

http://indonesiatravelmagazine.com/bali-traditional-arts-bali-sculptures/

 

Checked out some solomon stuff komokwa. Wonderful objects! Not convinced my combs are from there though.

 

Yes Dutch, any jewelry. Dank je.
Perfect match for second comb! Wonderful!
First one also indonesian would be more likely than african as well, since all the other stuff i bought is also asian, including some other indonesian items. But like you say, it is a lot simpler than your example. I'll try to google those terms a bit to see if i see a better comparable one.

 

Graag gedaan, John. We have several Dutch regulars on the forum, as you may have gathered I'm one of them. There is just no getting away from them.

 

Welcome to Antiquers JohnNL.

 

Well, I'd have bet African on the first comb, but there you go.

 

Let's hope we don't scare anyone off

 

Well, I thought of keeping a low profile, but you know, I'm Dutch, so no low profile.
So I just stick to the general thing, no boozing, no burping, no shorts in churches, mosques, and the like. That strategy is going ok, so far.

 

Actually, i'm not convinced by the molucca/taminbar origin of the first comb yet. Possible, but I have checked a lot of new comb pictures and i think ashanti/Akan origin might also be possible. They also have this 'compartment' decoration, but much more simple like mine. They also have sometimes this simple geometric I'll try to find good example, to post a link. So you all, can give your oppinion. Maybe another wide leap of mine agan

 

A screenprint is easier

 

Not really compartments, but you're right, this is a confusing comb. It has already traveled the world, Solomon Islands, Moluccas, Ghana.
So far I haven't found those twin birds on Akan combs, mostly ancestral/divine figures. And a lot of asymmetrical ones, like this gorgeous lion comb:

 

What's compartments in a comb exactly? More like this, you mean?

 

John,you have some fascinating and lovely things!

 

Hi and WELCOME, @JohnNL!!

 

The first comb is African, from Ghana, made by the Ashanti. It features an iconic symbol of the Akan culture, the sankofa bird, always shown with its feet forward, and its head looking back...said to symbolize the importance of remembering one's roots and history.

 

Wow, perfect Taupou! Can i give to times a best answer rate? Well, i just did.

 

Thanx for all your input (and welcome) everybody. I think this thread is solved completely. Great result!

 

And thnx for your compliment too Johnny.