<em>Comb with Human Image</em>, ca. 3500–3400 B.C.E. Bone, 7/8 x 2 5/8 in. (2.2 x 6.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1267. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.35.1267_NegB_print_bw.jpg)

Comb with Human Image, ca. 3500–3400 B.C.E. Bone, 7/8 x 2 5/8 in. (2.2 x 6.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1267. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.35.1267_NegB_print_bw.jpg)

<em>Comb with Human Image</em>, ca. 3500–3400 B.C.E. Bone, 7/8 x 2 5/8 in. (2.2 x 6.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1267. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.07.447.764_35.1267_NegID_35.1267_GRPA_print_bw.jpg)

Comb with Human Image, ca. 3500–3400 B.C.E. Bone, 7/8 x 2 5/8 in. (2.2 x 6.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1267. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.07.447.764_35.1267_NegID_35.1267_GRPA_print_bw.jpg)

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Comb with Human Image

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Pre-Dynastic, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

This narrow comb originally had long teeth, and it was probably worn as a hair ornament. The long beard on the face resembles that on the carved tusk in this case. The eyes and eyebrows would have been inlaid in another material, such as black paste.

MEDIUM Bone

Place Made: Egypt

DATES ca. 3500–3400 B.C.E.

PERIOD Predynastic Period, early Naqada II Period

DIMENSIONS 7/8 x 2 5/8 in. (2.2 x 6.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 35.1267

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented; by 1910, acquired by Friedrich Wilhelm von Bissing; before 1934, acquired from von Bissing by the Scheurleer Museum, the Hauge, the Netherlands; 1935, purchased from the Scheurleer Museum by the Fondation Egyptologique Reine Elisabeth; 1935, purchased from the Fondation Egyptologique Reine Elisabeth by the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Oblong ivory comb-handle surmounted by head of bearded (?) man. Circular eyes, originally inlaid, eyebrows incised and possibly inlaid originally. Prominent ears without detail. Pointed beard (?). Balance of handle undecorated. Probably intended as approximate representation of human body. Condition: Upper left corner missing, lower left corner broken off and replaced. All teeth of comb missing.

EXHIBITIONS

Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Pre-Dynastic, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Comb with Human Image, ca. 3500–3400 B.C.E. Bone, 7/8 x 2 5/8 in. (2.2 x 6.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1267. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.35.1267_NegB_print_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.35.1267_NegB_print_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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