A pretty faux tortoiseshell hair comb in Art Nouveau styling

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

SIZE: 5½ ins h x 3 ins w (14 x 7.5 cm) decorative part 3 ins h (7.5 cm)

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1890s – 1900s

MATERIALS: celluloid faux tortoiseshell

DESCRIPTION:

This attractive late Victorian hair comb is made from celluloid faux tortoiseshell with a high Spanish style heading in a wedge shape. The heading is filled with an openwork interlaced design which shows the influence of Art Nouveau styling.

The collage picture shows similar hair ornaments taken from contemporary illustrative sources and the hair styles with which they were worn.

This type of ornament is often known as Spanish or mantilla comb because it resembles a smaller version of the traditional large shell ornaments worn by Spanish ladies with their native dress. In practice any comb which has a high upstanding heading or top which stands proud of the top of the head is often called a mantilla comb. Such combs are worn placed high on the head in order to allow the beauty of their ornamental cresting to be admired.