A classic late Victorian faceted amber hair comb with hinged mount

CONDITION: good vintage condition with acceptable wear for age

SIZE: 4 ins h x 2 ½ ins w (10 x 6 cm)

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1880 - 1900

MATERIALS: steerhorn, metal, amber glass

DESCRIPTION:

This very beautiful tiara style hair comb is made with an arch shaped bar set upon a comb mount of amber coloured steerhorn with three tines. This is attached by a hinge and allows the ornamental heading to be moved into various configurations. It is topped by five faceted balls of transparent amber coloured material which simulates natural clear amber. These “balls” combs were very popular throughout the Victorian period and can be found in an endless array of materials. The balls on this example are not graduated in size. However they are arranged on a curve to create a coronet effect.

The final picture shows a collage of sitters from contemporary sources wearing similar ball decorated hair combs and the hairstyles with which they were worn.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

In the late 19th century an art movement called the “Aesthetic Movement” gained popularity among intellectuals. In fashion this led to the prevalence of natural softer vegetable dyes which produced half tints of amber gold, indigo, salmon, sage-green and terracotta. Along with these fabrics the jewels of choice were necklaces of large amber beads in clear and cloudy effects. Many hair accessories in this style were produced.

The aesthetic movement was a late nineteenth century movement that championed pure beauty and 'art for art's sake' emphasising the visual and sensual qualities of art and design over practical, moral or narrative considerations. Part of the aim was to blurr what was increasingly seen as the artificial division between the fine arts of painting and the crafts of pottery, wood carving, and so on.