Iron Hairpin
Mossi, Burkina Faso
Iron
Early 20th century

Both in everyday African life and in African sculpture, hair has always been one of the body parts receiving the most care and attention. A hairstyle can identify ethnic origin, gender, marital status, phase of the life cycle, status, wealth, or personal taste. Hair pins were intended primarily as objects of ornamentation, but could also signal social status or indicate access to the spirit realm.

In addition to being a hair ornament, hairpins were used for several other purposes: to clean small wounds, to remove chiggers, to care for fingernails and toenails, or as a knife to trim the hair. Hairpins also fulfilled an important role as gifts exchanged between lovers. Indeed, some women without one or more accoutrements in her hair would not even be considered completely dressed (Schildkrout, Enid & Keim, Curtis A., African Reflections: Art from Northeastern Zaire, 1990; Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972; Sieber, Roy & Herreman, Frank (Eds.), Hair in African Art and Culture, 2000).

3.875 in :: 10 cm

InventoryID #13-1974

Price on Request