Vintage Hair Comb Indonesia Sumatra Wedding Bridal Headdress

This sale is for a beautiful vintage silver tone metalwork hair comb

CONDITION: good vintage condition

SIZE: 8 ½ ins h x 6 ins w (21 x 15 cms)

DESCRIPTION:

This is a large and very distinctive hair comb made up of gilt wire filigree in a pattern of five large leaves and further embellished with small flowers.

This hair comb is part of the traditional head attire of a Sumatra bride. Usually several of these ornaments might be worn together as in picture 9 which shows a contemporary Sumatra bride.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Large and elaborate headdresses incorporating ornaments like this are still part of the traditional dress worn on festive and ceremonial occasions such as weddings in Borneo, Sarawak, Sumatra and other western islands of Indonesia. Elaborate metal headings gilded, embossed and engraved are attached to combs and worn tiara like on the front or top of the head.

Such headdresses are part of the wedding regalia for bridal couples. In the past they were passed down through families as treasured heirlooms.

However many aristocratic families have become impoverished and have reluctantly sold their treasured possessions. As a result original and handsomely crafted combs and headdresses are finding their way into western collections. Complete outfits of wedding regalia are now usually rented from a Pemaes or specialist company who also does the bridal make up and hairdressing for the great day.

Item ID: E13-01-004