West African combs: a hundred sublime pieces from an exceptional private collection. A tribute to sculpture and personal adornment.

This book is put together like a jewel and contains a carefully chosen selection of around 100 West African combs from one of the worlds largest and finest private collections of sub-Saharan African art. Featuring a hitherto unseen assortment of pieces assembled over a period of more than 60 years, the book also includes an authoritative analysis by Alain-Michel Boyer, who approached this rarely addressed theme in what was his final work, begun almost ten years ago.

As well as offering us valuable insights into the cultures that produced these miniature sculptures (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria), he explores the way the form itself is approached. These creations transform what is in principle a plain accessory and in the effort to attain pure beauty, they display an aesthetic awareness that raises the adornment of the body to the level of fine art.

Najwa Borrois an independent researcher and exhibition organizer specializing in African art. She has worked with numerous galleries, auction houses and museums. As scientific assistant to Yves Le Fur, director of the Heritage and Collections Department at the muse du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, she worked on the design of the“Les forts natales. Arts d’Afrique quatoriale atlantique”exhibition (2017).

Alain-Michel Boyer(1949 – 2025) was an anthropologist and art historian. He held an argrgation in literature and a BA from the Institut dtudes politiques, as well as two doctorates (Sorbonne, Paris). Following his Fulbright Scholarship (United States), he taught at several American universities. After serving as a member of the Conseil national des universits in Paris, Alain-Michel Boyer then became emeritus professor of African Art. He lived for several years in Ivory Coast, particularly among the Baule and Yaure peoples. He also carried out several research missions in various regions of Africa. He carried out definitive research, particularly in the field of the arts of Ivory Coast. He authored around twenty books, includingComment regarder les arts dAfrique(Hazan, 2017),Baule(5 Continents Editions, 2008) andLe corps africain(Hazan, 2006). He published the only books on the masks and figurines of two peoples hitherto neglected by art historians:Les Yohour de Cte d’Ivoire. Faire danser les dieux(Ides et calendes, 2017) andLes figurines kulango. Les esprits mystrieux de la brousse de la collection Pierluigi Peroni(5 Continents Editions, 2017). He was an Officier de lordre national du Mrite de la Rpublique de Cte d’Ivoire.
Valentine Plisnieris a researcher in art history, an exhibition organizer and author. Her books includeLArt lega. Grandeur et humilit, in collaboration with Michel Boulanger (Galerie Valois, 2016),Arts dAfrique. Portraits dune collection(5 Continents Editions, 2016), in collaboration with Patrick Caput andPierre Dartevelle et les arts premiers : mmoire et continuit(5 Continents Editions, 2020).
Sarah Boukamelis a graduate of the cole du Louvre, an art historian and teacher specializing in the history of African art. She has made a significant contribution to recording the works in the Marc Ladreit de Lacharrire bequest to the muse du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac.
Franois Neytis Professor Emeritus at the Catholic University of Louvain. He has published several works on African art, includingLa redoutable statuaire Songye dAfrique centrale(Fonds Mercator, 2009),Fleuve Congo(Fonds Mercator, 2010),Ftiches et objets ancestraux(5 Continents Editions, 2013),Trsors de Cte d’Ivoire(Fonds Mercator, 2014),LUnivers Songye(Fonds Mercator, 2025).

• Publisher: Five Continents Editions
• Publish Date: February 24, 2026
• Pages: 192
• Language: English
• Type: Hardback
• EAN/UPC: 9788874396771
• Dimensions: 10.2 in H | 8.3 in W | 1.3 lb Wt
• BISAC Categories: Arts & Hobbies