PEACEFUL LOVE

This striking suite includes a set of 2 wooden combs decorated with whale bone and a bold dowry stone statue, complete with the blackened metal stands.

The combs were hand crafted by local artisans on the Tanimbar islands in the Maluku province of Indonesia, once part of the Dutch East Indies. Made as per ancient techniques it’s carved in makassar ebano wood inlaid with delicately laced whale bone.
Since antiquity whale bone was used to make jewelry and amulets in the Maluku region. It is believed that the whale teaches you to listen to your inner voice and following your own truth, helping you to find peace and harmony.
In Tanimbar, old traditions are still very much a part of life, based on trust, protection and nurturing. Here women have a high position in society as life givers, making parents grateful to have a daughter.

The dowry statue was hand carved in black river stone as per ancient techniques by local artisans on the island of Papua.
It’s shaped like a coin to symbolize prosperity. Statues like these were used in marriage proposals since the people of Papua believed that the marriage would be as sturdy as the stone they used as the dowry.
Dowry is an ancient custom that continue to be expected and demanded as a condition to accept a marriage proposal in Papua. It’s a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter, transferred from the bride's family to the groom or his family. The custom of dowry is most common in cultures that expect women to reside with or near their husband's family. 

The suite comes complete with the stories of the artefacts printed out for you inside a beautiful envelope. Being artisan crafted with organic materials, each piece is slightly different containing beautiful, natural imperfections. Books not included.

DIMENSIONS INCLUDING THE BLACKENED METAL SUPPORTS:

• The set of combs: large comb: 16 x 37 x 8cm with the stand, medium comb: 31 x 12 x 6,5cm
• The dowry statue: 29 x 40 x 10cm