Certainly this is an old, hand-carved brush/comb, with its paddle bearing a field of thin metal spikes set into the wood, but I am not completely sure its origins--it has an American folk art feel to it, with what looks like a carved boot at the end of the handle, cross-hatch pattern carved into the reverse side of the paddle, and old white paint over that--and I would think used as a sort of carding comb, for wool. But in the Africa Museum in Brussels, Belgium I found an example of a "mucayi" (hair brush) from the Chokwe culture in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo that is quite similar in shape and scale, so it seems possible this is that. (Here is a link to that object) Whatever the case, a pretty wonderful object I think, which fits in one's hand just right, and which was clearly held and used for a good long time. (And could be used now to comb the cat!) A nice one for the hand-held carved object/tool collection.

7 3/16"t  x 2 1/2" w x 3/4" d. Very good condition, terrific patina, great in the hand.