Handmade comb from leaf fibre, decorated with vermilion and yellow feathers

Handmade by the Piaroa Indian ethnic group deep in the Amazonian rainforest in Brazil, the combs are objects from what is becoming a threatened culture. For many centuries people of the Amazon basin have made combs like this, using natural reeds and fibre including hand-spun and dyed cotton fibres.

Amazonian Indians traditionally live in palm-thatched huts and personal items are stored by hanging them from the rafters or support poles, so each comb has a natural fibre strap for this purpose. When stored, large headdresses are partially disassembled and are carefully put in boxes or baskets in the rafters of the home.