Comb Box c. 1940

Chris Makrenos rendered this comb box, sometime between 1855 and 1995, with an eye for symbolic form. The most striking is the arch at the top, a shape that has echoed through centuries. The arch, reminiscent of Gothic cathedrals, speaks of transcendence and aspiration. We can trace its lineage back to ancient Roman architecture, where it symbolized power and dominion. Yet, here, on a humble comb box, it suggests something more intimate: a daily ritual framed by echoes of grander, almost sacred spaces. The mirror itself, framed within this arch, becomes a focal point for self-reflection, a moment of introspection. Consider how the act of gazing into a mirror is fraught with psychological weight, a confrontation with the self. This comb box, therefore, isn't merely a piece of furniture but a stage for the drama of self-perception. This daily ritual transforms a mundane object into a powerful cultural artifact, resonating with our deepest desires for beauty, order, and self-knowledge. The arch and the mirror combined invite us to consider how the past shapes our present, reminding us that even the simplest objects can carry profound cultural and personal significance.