There are some sellers of tribal arts who can get a good price for an African hair comb. Most of the time, I think they are extremely undervalued, given the artwork and great tradition of comb making on that continent. This comb brought in a good price, $155.50 on June 20, 2006, maybe because it was brass. I just thought the two elephants give it a sense of humor. It was made in the Ivory Coast by a Baule artist.
This silver comb with filigree and micromosaic is Italian, c. 1898. This is one of the most beautiful combs I’ve ever seen.
One came in its original box with an Italian label, the other has branch coral beautifully arranged over the shell comb. Both are gorgeous knock-out pieces.
This style is dark tortoiseshell, elaborately carved with gold makie, and a gold border. One of the most beautiful characteristics of Meiji combs is that the artist folds the carved painting over the comb, so that the front and the back are part of the same idea. This is done with ivory combs as well. But here is an excellent example of a dark shell, gold makie style of Meiji comb that went at live auction for $950.
The condition was excellent, it was signed, the carving was a painting of flying birds with inlaid mother or pearl flowers, and it was a full set. You might think that this is very expensive for one of these combs. However, on Trocadero, there is an asian art dealer with a similar set in excellent condition, who wants $2000 for it. There was another comb in this style that went for $260. The carving was ornamental, but it was in good condition, and the dealer offered a full set.
Meiji: $260
For Japanese collectors, a silver and tortoiseshell comb from the Edo era, with the silver carved into birds on Mt. Fuji and the kogai made to match, is a treasure rare to behold. I believe there is a drop pearl hanging from the bonsai tree on the left. The artwork is museum level on this comb, even though the condition was not at its best. It sold for $1300 at live auction. I and another Japanese collector bid $750 and $800, respectively, but we couldn’t get our hands on it.
