A striking faux shell hair comb with gilded design (tests as celluloid)

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

SIZE: 6 ins h x 3 ins w (18 x 7.5 cm) decorative part 3½ ins h (9 cm)

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1890s – 1900s

MATERIALS: celluloid

DESCRIPTION:

Here is a tall and handsome hair comb from the late Victorian era. It has a wedge shaped heading with an engraved formalised design which has been in filled with gold paint to emphasize the pattern.

The collage picture shows a selection of illustrations from contemporary sources with similar hair accessories and the hair styles with which they were worn.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

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.