Image Credits
- Left & Middle Images: Sotheby’s Arts D’Afrique et D’Océanie Paris Auction, 11 December 2013
- Right Image: Native Auctions 01 African and Oceanic Art Brussels Auction, 11 June 2011
Description
Combs (cisakulo) were used to detangle, style and decorate the hair of Chokwe men and women (however according to Marie-Louise Bastin, only men used combs to style their headdresses).1
Cisakulo were also inserted into hair to indicate social associations and status, personal wealth and/or ancestral history.
Distinguishing Features
1Two major categories of Cisakulo exist:
- Sculpted combs in which figurative or geometric decorations are sculpted or cut from wood
- Wooden teeth linked by weaving technique
References
