Hand-Carved West African Hair Needle (Head Scratcher)

​Elegant, slender, and steeped in history, this hand-carved hair needle—often referred to as a "head scratcher"—is a beautiful example of West African functional art. While the larger combs were used for grooming, these delicate pins were tucked into elaborate hairstyles to maintain the look or used to provide relief to the scalp without disturbing the intricate braids.

H 24cm W 6cm W 6cm