Ba Coiffeur [i.e., "The Hairdresser"]

[African School, 20th century]

About this Item

[Central Africa, ca. 1960s]. Oil paint on plywood with applied frame; hanging cord on back. 15¼ x 20 inches. Name in pencil on verso: "Gui [Guillermo?] F. [or] T. Restle". Light soiling to surface; frame edges lightly rubbed; very good. A striking signboard employed by a 1960s Central African itinerant barber, adorned in a lively and cheerful color scheme. African barbers and hair salons often displayed distinctive and elaborate trade signs, highlighting local artistry and skill. Frequently hand-painted, these signs served both practical and artistic purposes, representing the culture through a fusion of visuals that portrayed the barber s offerings and regional values. ""Such signs first appeared in urban areas to advertise services sometime during the 1930s to 1950s. Oftentimes, a portable sign with a handle [was] hung outdoors, while an itinerant barber sets up a chair, hanging mirror, and a small table for their scissors, razor, comb, and clippers. [.] With the advent of machine-printing, hand-painted barbershop and hairdressing signs a vibrant form of African folk art in the form of advertising appear less frequently on shop fronts." (See SFO Museum s exhibit "Extra O ! African Barbershop and Hairdressing Signs")" Painted on a wood panel, this handsome example displays six Western hairstyles and their corresponding prices. Beneath a tree s shade, a barber tends to a client, draped in a barber cape. An adjacent table holds a mirror against the tree s trunk, alongside a hair pick, scissors, and a comb. Notes: Captioned "Ba Coiffeur" in the upper right corner of the image, "Coiffeur" is French for barber and "Ba" indicates Lingala, spoken in Central Africa, encompassing Congo, Angola, Central African Republic, and South Sudan, translating to "The Hairdresser." In 1960, a Central African CFA franc was worth 0.02 French francs after a devaluation. For instance, 450 F on the barber s sign equated to 9 French francs. A French franc in 1960 equaled 20 US cents. Nine French francs amounted to $1.80. (A 1960s U.S. haircut cost $1.50 $2.00.).

Seller Inventory # 3733561

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ba Coiffeur [i.e., "The Hairdresser"]
• Seller catalogs:
  • Africa
  • Folk Art