Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
As he noted in a pencil inscription on the cover, John S. Locke purchased this comb at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. It is a two-sided Sukigushi comb used for cleaning dirt and dust from Japanese women’s elaborate coiffures. The Centennial Exhibition was the first major international event where Americans encountered Japanese craftsmanship. The Japanese Pavilion had a 17,000 square foot display space that included a bazaar where visitors could purchase souvenirs. These combs were an excellent example of Japanese woodworking skill and were popular exports and momentos during the late 19th century.
