Comb with a Female Dancer Flanked by Parrots

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Comb with a Female Dancer Flanked by Parrots

c. 18th century

Artist/maker unknown, Sri Lankan

Elaborately decorated combs like this one were not intended for everyday use, but rather as luxury hair ornaments, and were often included in dowries. The wearing of such delicate and intricately designed objects is related to the solah shringar (sixteen adornments) of women, where each step in the beautification ritual was meant to entice a lover’s appreciative eye. Both sides of this carved ivory comb bear an image of a dancer flanked by parrots. The artist has portrayed the dancer’s posture and hand gestures very precisely, for in classical Indian dance specific poses and movements are used to narrate stories and convey emotions.

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Object Details

Title:

Comb with a Female Dancer Flanked by Parrots

Date:

c. 18th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Sri Lankan

Medium:

Ivory

Dimensions:

3 1/2 × 3 3/4 × 5/16 inches (8.9 × 9.5 × 0.8 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Bull, 1978

Accession Number:

1978-126-2

Geography:

Made in Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka, Asia

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