Unmatched pair Victorian gold tone metal hair combs with flowers

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1890s – 1900s

MATERIALS: metal

DESCRIPTION:

Here is a beautiful unmatched pair of filigree hair combs dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. They are made in gold tone metal in the design of flowers which are executed in a three dimensional manner as seen from the side on view.

This is an excellent example of the smaller and lighter hair accessories which came into vogue in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Changes in the manner of dressing the hair affected the fashions of such ornaments and filigree was very popular.

#1 small hair pin measures 4 ins l x 1 ins w (10 x 2.5 cm)

#2 larger hair pin measures 4½ ins l x 1 ins w (11 x 2.5 cm)

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Changes in the manner of dressing the hair around the turn of the 20th century led to a taste for smaller and lighter hair accessories than those which had been fashionable for the previous 20 years. The fashionable style was now the “Gibson Girl” look, where hair was dressed out over pads in a fluffy and feminine style with wisps escaping at the sides. With these softer styles the taste was for smaller ornaments, especially those with a light, openwork appearance. Combs and hairpins in metal and tortoiseshell filigree were especially popular.

Simple two pronged combs and hair pins such as these were made in pairs, or sometimes set with a larger matching comb. They could perform both an ornamental and a useful function, being used to hold the elaborate coiffures of the day in place as well as to adorn the hair. Hair pins like this are characteristically made in horn, metal, or some synthetic like celluloid. They usually have only two tines and their top or heading is made in a delicate openwork shape.