This kaga gwaroa doe, or big patterned comb, is larger than other combs produced in this region. This was a man’s ornament, although in Lao and perhaps elsewhere a maiden would wear it as part of her wedding ornaments. Combs of this general type are characteristic of Malaita, the larger curved ones especially of north Malaita. The red vine-strip is a coconut-frond cuticle stained with Indian Mulberry (Morinda), the yellow is orchid stem.
