Combs and Case
1 of 2
Object Label
Fabricated from local tortoiseshell, these exceptional objects were produced to serve as mementos or souvenirs of time spent in Jamaica by wealthy landowners. The tortoiseshell is embellished with engraved floral motifs derived from contemporary European prints or textiles. The small cabinet is further decorated with small silver drawer pulls cast in the shape of busts of enslaved Africans. Intended for European consumption, these objects also serve as a reminder that their owners’ wealth was the result of enslaved labor.
Caption
Combs and Case, 1672. Tortoise shell, a, case: 6 1/16 x 3 7/8 x 7/16 in. (15.4 x 9.8 x 1.1 cm) b, fine double-sided comb: 6 3/16 x 3 7/16 x 1/16 in. (15.7 x 8.7 x 0.2 cm) c, coarse comb: 5 9/16 x 3 7/16 x 1/8 in. (14.1 x 8.7 x 0.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 47.116.2a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 47.116.2a-c_PS6.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Combs and Case
Date
1672
Medium
Tortoise shell
Classification
Dimensions
a, case: 6 1/16 x 3 7/8 x 7/16 in. (15.4 x 9.8 x 1.1 cm) b, fine double-sided comb: 6 3/16 x 3 7/16 x 1/16 in. (15.7 x 8.7 x 0.2 cm) c, coarse comb: 5 9/16 x 3 7/16 x 1/8 in. (14.1 x 8.7 x 0.3 cm)
Inscriptions
Engraved on front of case: "JAMAICA 1672".
Credit Line
Carll H. de Silver Fund
Accession Number
47.116.2a-c
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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