Pretty late Victorian or Edwardian openwork filigree hair ornament

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

SIZE: 5 ins h x 1½ ins w ( 13 x 4 cm) decorative part 1½ ins h (4 cm)

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1890s -1900s

MATERIALS: celluloid, rhinestones, metal

DESCRIPTION:

This pretty hair accessory is fresh to the market, being part of an extensive private collection which I recently purchased.

This beautiful comb is an excellent example of the smaller and daintier hair accessories which were worn at the end of the Victorian period. It has a top or heading of filigree white metal openwork which is further embellished with clear rhinestones. The two tines of celluloid faux tortoiseshell are each fitted into a separate metal sleeve in the bottom of the heading.

The final picture is taken from a collection of contemporary fashion magazine illustrations and shows the fashionable coiffure and the kinds of ornaments used to decorate it.

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. As a result hair accessories became much smaller and lighter in appearance. Those with an airy, delicate appearance made from filigree metal or openwork were most popular.