Description:

Egypt, Alexandria, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. This is a double-sided wooden comb with a thick central handle to make it easy to hold and use. The comb has thin and course teeth; the thin teeth were almost certainly used for the removal of lice and other pests. The H-shaped comb is characteristic of Roman artifacts; the Roman army issued combs of this shape made of boxwood as an attempt to keep hygiene a part of daily life for soldiers. Boxwood was imported from Syria and other parts of the Holy Land to make combs because Egypt did not have any wood hard enough to be carved into such fine teeth. One ancient genetics study has shown that combs like these came into fashion in Egypt along with the arrival of people with European-style thinner hair; previous populations in Egypt had thicker hair. An object like this, therefore, in addition to connecting us to the past through objects of a similar function and form, reminds us of the migration of different people across time and space. Size: 6" H x 4" W, with custom stand, 7" H (15.2 cm x 10 cm x 17.8 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Art for Eternity, Howard Nowes, NYC, NY.

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#110790

  • Condition: Some teeth missing, but for its age, comb is in very good condition.

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November 19, 2015 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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