Elaborately detailed metal filigree and ceramic beads hair comb made in Spain

CONDITION: good vintage condition

SIZE: 5½ ins h x 5½ ins w (14 x 14 cm)

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1980s

MATERIALS: metal, ceramic

DESCRIPTION:

Here is a large and attractive comb which was made in Spain and probably dates from the 1980s. It was probably produced for the tourist industry.

This handsome ornament has an elaborate mounting of filigree metal with a heading formed out of circular pieces of antiqued brass. These are further embellished with numerous purple coloured ceramic balls, which also decorate the rear of the ornament.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Spanish or mantilla style is a name generally given to any comb with has a high upstanding heading. However the true Spanish comb is an ornament worn in Spain and other Spanish speaking countries and has a high stand top which is draped with a lace veil. In the past such veils were worn when attending church, and others formal events. Although the use of these high combs and mantilla veils declined in Spain during the 20th century the growth of the Spanish tourist industry in the 1960s led to a new interest in Spanish costume, music and dance. Large combs are now popular souvenirs with tourists.

They are worn in a characteristic manner, being placed in the side or back of the hairdressing, sometimes at an acute angle, and in such a way that the tall heading stood up proud. This enables the often beautiful openwork decoration or the decorative effect which had been applied to the material, to be viewed from all angles, and for the details to be seen effectively outlined against the light. This manner of wearing the decorative comb is shown in the accompanying photograph on the mannequin and in the collage picture which is compiled from several sources.