C.1860 English Antique Victorian Bohemian Garnet and Genuine Tortoise Shell Hinged Hair Comb!

Antiques : Victorian - Hair Combs : Bohemian Garnets : Tortoise Shell

 

Genuine Tortoise Shell hair combs from the Victorian era are so hard to find! So imagine my surprise when popped out of a treasure box at a recent estate sale here in St. Louis.

Hinged at the top and in the design of a 6 pointed star, this very nice hair comb shows no Bohemian Garnet missing though there does seem to have been some trouble at some time in the past with one small section to the left section. One garnet shows a bit of a rough top, while there is some "black" between two stones. Possibly an old type of glue to reset the stones but I don't know for sure. However, this repair does not compromise the design in any way and unless viewed with a 10x loupe, is pretty much invisible.

The metal holding the garnets to the tortoise appears to be a low grade of silver with a light gold wash. Most of the gold wash has worn but traces remain. The star is hinged so that the comb can sit straight "up and down" in the hair or "sideways". The comb measures 4-1/8" high from top of star to bottom. Width is 1-1/8" at the top. Star size alone is 1-1/8" x 1-1/8". No chips or cracks or repairs to the tortoishell and overall, a very nice hair ornament!

Hard to find and a wonderful piece of Victoriana!

(ry)

Item ID: TQ-0716