Material: Wood, rattan, horn
Style: Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 20 cm, Width 5 cm (top), 7 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSAC1

Balinese women wear elaborate hairstyles at Balinese ceremonies which are enhanced with combs.

This elegant comb is in the shape of a human body.

This large, split comb is sculptural and striking. The form is similar to Balinese representations of Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, with a wide, fanned-out headdress, known as cili.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Silver(?), Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 23cm, Width 13 cm
Order Number: MHSAC2

Balinese women wear elaborate hairstyles at Balinese ceremonies which are enhanced with combs.

This large, split comb is sculptural and striking. The form is similar to Balinese representations of Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, with a wide, fanned-out headdress, known as cili.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Comb 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Ivory
Style: China
Size: Height 3.5 cm, Width 16 cm
Order Number: MHSACC1

In traditional Chinese Medicine, combing hair is an efficient way to keep healthy; it is believed this can massage nerves and stimulate blood circulation. Combs of different materials were used for different hair quality and body conditions.

​Both men and women carried a comb.

Rectangular comb with a handle, decorated with openwork lattice design with with foliate decoration.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Brass
Style: China
Size: Height 9 cm, Width 3 cm
Order Number: MHSACC1

This Chinese moustache and beard comb which would have been used by a noble man to groom his moustache and beard. The small, oval, two-sided combs were normally suspended from the neck, or from the waist belt. There is a handle with geometric designs and small hook. Two small bands stabilise the top and bottom.

In ancient China, people were not supposed to cut their hair or shave their beards. Moustaches were very popular in the Qing dynasty (1636–1912).

Confucius (551–479 BC) taught that the human body was a gift from one’s parents and no changes should be made to it. Tattoos were taboo. Cutting one’s hair or fingernails or shaving one’s beard were not allowed. Most men, if they could, let their hair and beard grow long.

19th – early 20th century.

There are some examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, pages 145-147.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Silver
Style: Miao, South China
Size: Height 6 cm, Width 10 cm
Order Number: MHSACC2

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry. The minorities of South China love to ornament their hair with silver combs.

The wearing of silver jewellery among women is very important. It is a sign of femininity and wealth. Families begin saving to buy silver jewellery when a daughter is born, so that she can get married with a substantial amount of silver jewellery which belongs to her.

Large amounts of silver jewellery are worn at weddings, funerals and springtime celebrations. At New Year all the family silver is worn.

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Brass, diamond
Style: Flores, Indonesia
Size: Height 5.5 cm, Width 11 cm
Order Number: MHSAFC1

In the 19th century most Indonesian women wore their hair tied up in a tight bun. Rich women wore decorative combs, such as this one to hold their hair in place.

The design can be traced back to Southern China and they came to be popular across much of island Southeast Asia, as far as Timor. They were worn until well into the 20th century.

There are similar examples in Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago, Anne Richter and Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, pages 319-321.

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Flores .

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Flores Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bone, cotton
Style: India
Size: Height 10 cm, Width 11.5 cm
Order Number: MHSAILC1

Some of the world’s most beautiful combs were made specifically for delousing. They go back to the Ancient Egyptians. Head lice have been found in the hair of Egyptian mummies. They are older than  humans. There is a  wooden comb from Egypt’s Coptic Period (500 AD to 1000 AD in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

There is a 12th century example from Venice in the Walters Art Museum,  a 12th century example from England in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and a 15th century example from France in the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Lice combs have very fine teeth to remove lice and louse eggs. Most ancient combs are double-sided, with very fine teeth on one side for the lice and sparser teeth on the other side for cosmetic purposes. Combs are usually made of wood, bone, or ivory.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Wood, lacquer
Style: Laos
Size: Height 6 cm, Width 19 cm
Order Number: MHSALC1

20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Laos Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Brass, buffalo horn
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 6 cm, Width 11.5 cm
Order Number: MHSASC1

In the 19th century most Indonesian women wore their hair tied up in a tight bun. Rich women wore decorative combs, such as this one to hold their hair in place.

The design can be traced back to Southern China and they came to be popular across much of island Southeast Asia, as far as Timor. They were worn until well into the 20th century.

There are similar examples in Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago, Anne Richter and Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, pages 319-321.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Sumatran Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Ivory
Style: Thailand
Size: Height 1.75 cm, Width 7 cm
Order Number: MHSATC1

Mid  20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Thailand Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, buffalo horn
Style: West Timor, Indonesia
Size: Height 7.5 cm, Width 14.5 cm
Order Number: MHSATC1

Timor is best known for its silver and other jewelry. The Timorese have been using metal for a least 2,000 years but silver arrived late and rapidly replaced gold. Funnily enough silver is not native to Timor. The Europeans brought a large number of silver coins, starting with Spanish pieces of eight in the 16th century. Silver Dutch and Portuguese coins were melted down and made into jewelry.

Ornamental comb. The top is embellished with dome shaped motifs.

There is a similar one in Ethnic Jewellery from Indonesia, Continuity and Evolution, Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, page 274.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Timor Comb 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, buffalo horn
Style: West Timor, Indonesia
Size: Height 7 cm, Width 14.5 cm
Order Number: MHSATC2

Timor is best known for its silver and other jewelry. The Timorese have been using metal for a least 2,000 years but silver arrived late and rapidly replaced gold. Funnily enough silver is not native to Timor. The Europeans brought a large number of silver coins, starting with Spanish pieces of eight in the 16th century. Silver Dutch and Portuguese coins were melted down and made into jewelry.

Ornamental comb. The top is embellished with dome shaped motifs.

There is a similar one in Ethnic Jewellery from Indonesia, Continuity and Evolution, Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, page 274.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Timor Comb 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, buffalo horn
Style: West Timor, Indonesia
Size: Height 7.5 cm, Width 14.5 cm
Order Number: MHSATC3

Timor is best known for its silver and other jewelry. The Timorese have been using metal for a least 2,000 years but silver arrived late and rapidly replaced gold. Funnily enough silver is not native to Timor. The Europeans brought a large number of silver coins, starting with Spanish pieces of eight in the 16th century. Silver Dutch and Portuguese coins were melted down and made into jewelry.

Ornamental comb. The top is embellished with dome shaped motifs.

There is a similar one in Ethnic Jewellery from Indonesia, Continuity and Evolution, Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, page 274.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Timor Comb 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, turquoise, stones
Style: Turkmen, Central Asia
Size: Height 8.5 cm, Width 14 cm; Pin: Height 7 cm
Order Number: MHSATUC1

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

Traditionally, Turkmen families married off their daughters between the ages of 12 and 15. They wore a lot of wedding jewellery for the marriage ceremony, including hair combs.

Turkmen combs are rare. This one has a good patina and obvious age. The silver is soft from use. The central portion has engraved writing, probably verses from the Koran.

The pin fits neatly into the top of the comb.

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Comb 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, turquoise, carnelian
Style: Turkmen, Central Asia
Size: Height 7 cm, Width 9.75 cm
Order Number: MHSATUC2

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

This double-ended ‘H-style’ comb has two sets of teeth with a central sheet silver grip decorated with carnelian and blue turquoise cabochons.

Traditionally, Turkmen families married off their daughters between the ages of 12 and 15. They wore a lot of wedding jewellery for the marriage ceremony, including hair combs, and this would be an example.

Turkmen combs are rare. This one has a good patina and obvious age. The silver is soft from use. Unusually, the teeth have remained intact. 

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Comb 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, turquoise, carnelian
Style: Turkmen, Central Asia
Size: Height 6.5 cm, Width 8.25 cm
Order Number: MHSATUC3

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

This double-ended ‘H-style’ comb has two sets of teeth with a central sheet silver grip decorated with central carnelian and flanked by blue turquoise cabochons. There are small carnelians and turquoises on both sides and small bells.

Traditionally, Turkmen families married off their daughters between the ages of 12 and 15. They wore a lot of wedding jewellery for the marriage ceremony, including hair combs, and this would be an example.

Turkmen combs are rare. This one has a good patina and obvious age. The silver is soft from use. Unusually, the teeth have remained intact. 

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Comb 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, turquoise, carnelian
Style: Turkmen, Central Asia
Size: Height 5 cm, Width 13.5 cm
Order Number: MHSATUC4

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

This comb has sheet silver grip decorated with carnelian and blue turquoise cabochons on both sides.

Traditionally, Turkmen families married off their daughters between the ages of 12 and 15. They wore a lot of wedding jewellery for the marriage ceremony, including hair combs, and this would be an example.

Turkmen combs are rare. This one has a good patina and obvious age. The silver is soft from use. Unusually, the teeth have remained intact. 

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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