Comb with caribou image
Life Story
The top of this weathered ivory comb appears to represent a young caribou without antlers. It has a slightly concave back and a simple engraved design on both sides. The small eyes are deeply drilled; four of the twelve tines are missing. Although its age is not known, it is likely to be of considerable antiquity.
Steven Hooper, 1997
Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) p. 236.
Provenance
Purchased by the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia from Arbutus Limited on the advice of Robert Sainsbury in 1980 out of income from the Sainsbury Purchasing Fund.
On display
Title/Description: Comb with caribou image
Object Type: Comb
Materials: Walrus ivory
Measurements: h. 76 x w. 30 x d. 5 mm
Accession Number: 733
Historic Period: 18th century or earlier
Production Place: Alaska, North America, The Americas
Credit Line: Purchased with support from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1980
