Turtle shell comb
(20th century)
Medium
turtle shell, shell, wild banana seed, fibre string
Measurements
23.0 × 11.2 × 1.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Louise and Sam Dawson, 2008
© the artists
Gallery location
Not on display
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Tufi District, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
Accession Number
2008.328
Department
Pacific Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Physical description
A decorative hair comb with holes at the outer rim with some 19 or 20 tassels; each with five or six small shell discs topped off with a banana seed. This hair comb is engraved with the unique Oro pattern or 'arrow heads' or 'chevrons' which are sometimes carved into lime spatulas, headrests and traditional clay pots from Oro Province.