Makah Carved Cedar Comb

ca. 1960

6" H x 3.25" W x .625" 

Hand Carved Cedar Comb with two Totem Faces and Painted in Red and Black Colors 

In Very Good Condition

From a private collection of George W. Patterson, of Tulsa, Ok; Missionary to the Makah and who lived at Neah Bay from 1964-1982. He had also spent a brief period of time on the Navajo reservation during this period

Makah carved cedar combs are traditional hair combs handmade by the Makah people, a Native American tribe from the Pacific Northwest Coast (specifically the Neah Bay area in Washington state). The Makah have a rich woodworking tradition, heavily relying on western red cedar— a versatile material used for everything from longhouses and canoes to everyday and ceremonial items. These combs are typically carved from cedar wood, often featuring intricate designs such as totem figures, animal motifs (e.g., eagles or other crest symbols), or stylized faces that reflect Northwest Coast Indigenous art styles. They serve both practical purposes (for grooming long hair, common in traditional Makah culture) and artistic/cultural ones, sometimes incorporating family stories, spiritual elements, or clan crests.