A fine Bete, or Guro, male and female pair of combs

standing on wedge-shaped feet and muscular legs, the female with brass rings at the ankles, the full hips leading to dramatically tapered waists and flaring and the bust to the flat shoulder of the comb, the male with a typical rectilinear face in high relief, the female with incised zigzag motifs, each surmounted by the upright tines; 'HS50' and 'HS46' in white pigment, old labels 'R255' and 'R254', '210' and '210B' in black pigment on the undersides of the feet; fine reddish brown patina overall.

Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris
Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, October 15, 1966, lot 72

Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Museum, Selections from the William W. Brill Colllection of African Art, May 5 - August 31, 1969 (for additional venues see bibliography, Milwaukee 1969)

Milwaukee 1969: 18, figure 25