French Ivory Art Nouveau Back Comb

Ref: AN-0903-012

This handsome back comb is made from an early celluloid substance, popularly known as French ivory, because it was invented to substitute for the much more expensive elephant.

This pretty comb is decorated across the top of the heading by a panel of applied metalwork which features the iconic whiplash design. This is one of the most distinctive features of the Art Nouveau period.

As the Art Nouveau style gained in popularity, a whole class of popular jewellery was mass produced which reproduced the typical motifs of the genre, but was produced by machine and made in synthetic materials? This is an example.

Size: 3½ x 4 ins (approx 9 x 10 cms)

£30.00

Victorian Mother of Pearl Hinged Comb

Ref: AN-0903-017

In the 1870s Queen Victoria became Empress of India and this led to an influx into Europe of ornaments made in India for the Western market.

We find these imported ornaments in a wide variety of materials and styles, such as carved ivory and tortoiseshell, metal filigree, granulation, and gilt metal repousee sometimes set with coloured stones. They are an interesting example of an era, and of how personal adornment was influenced by travel to other lands and cultures. Mother of pearl is another of these exotic materials which came to fashion by this means.

This large and chunky example has a heading carved out of one large piece of this beautiful iridescent material. It is affixed to the teeth by a hinged mount.

Size: 5 x 5 ins (approx 13 x 13 cms)

£60.00

Tortoiseshell and Gilt Metal Figural Female Comb

Ref: AN-0909-017

This fine large tortoiseshell back comb has a high gilt metal heading which is made in the very essence of the Art Nouveau taste.

Art Nouveau is a style is distinguished by complex interlaced lines, naturalistic or organic motifs, and by the use of human or animal forms. This one shows a figural female head placed among iris, an iconic flower much beloved of Art Nouveau jewellers. Another characteristic feature is the so-called whiplash effect of curved and interlaced lines, which is featured here on the wide upstanding heading.

Size: 5 ½ x 5 ins (approx 14 x 12.5 cms)

£100.00

Faux Pearls and Amethyst Back Comb

Ref: AN-0909-018

This is a nice quality hair comb dating from the late Victorian or Edwardian period of circa 1890 to 1910. It is of the type called a back comb being deeply curved to fit the back of the skull and to support the elaborate padded hairstyles and immense hats of the period. It is a fine example of a late Victorian or Edwardian comb which displays some characteristics of the Art Nouveau movement, but is not overtly in the mode.

Combs of this type usually have a wide shallow heading broader than it is high which provides scope for handsome decorative treatment. This one is cut into an openwork design and is mounted with oval faux amethyst placed within a border of small faux pearls.

Size: 3½ x 4½ ins (approx 9 x 11.5 cms)

£45.00

Pre Ban Intricately Carved Large Export Comb

Ref: AN-0909-019

This handsome genuine tortoiseshell export comb probably dates from the 1830s or earlier. This fine example was probably hand carved in the Far East and imported into Europe. We find these imported ornaments in a wide variety of materials and styles.  They are an interesting example of an era, and of how personal adornment was influenced by travel to other lands and cultures. The heading is carved into a design resembling fine lace which features a series of oval cartouches. Placed within these are floral motifs representing peonies and lotus.

The comb is in good condition for its age but is not perfect. There is one missing tine on the right and a small tip of missing on the extreme left. There is also a contemporary repair on the right and a small amount of damage to the top right. See pictures 3 and 6. However these issues are not visible in wear and the comb does display well.  

The final illustration is from a contemporary photograph of the late 19th century and shows a sitter wearing a similar comb with a high elaborate heading.

Size: 7½ x 7¼ ins (approx 19 x 18.5 cms)

£130.00

Multi Rhinestone Lilac Art Nouveau Comb

Ref: AN-0909-022

Art Nouveau is a style which lasted a comparatively short period from about 1895 to 1919. It is distinguished by complex interlaced lines, and naturalistic or organic motifs. The earliest Art Nouveau ornaments were hand made but as the style gained in popularity, a whole class of popular jewellery was mass produced which reproduced the typical motifs of the genre, but were produced by machine and made in synthetics.

This very beautiful translucent celluloid comb has a design of iris, that iconic flower much loved by Art Nouveau jewellers on account of its exotic appearance. Here the flowers are rendered in dark blue and purple rhinestones with the leaves suggested in emerald green.

Size: 7 x 4 ins (approx 18 x 10 cms)

£75.00

Late 19th Century Back Comb with Toledo Work

Ref: AN-1008-034

This is a nice quality back comb dating from circa 1890 to 1910. This type of hair accessory was specifically designed to be worn at the back of the hairdressing above or below the chignon. It is usually identified by a deep curve made to fit the skull. These combs are usually wider than they are high and have an elaborate heading or top decorated in some way.

Size: 3¼ x 3 ins (approx 8.5 x 8 cms)

£35.00

Late 19th Century Back Comb with Gilt Metal Heading

Ref: AN-1008-035

At the turn of the 20th century the hair was worn in a distinctive puffed out style familiar from the drawings of Charles Dana Gibson. This Gibson girl coiffure  is also known as a Pompadour and often incorporated the use of  pads and false hair. It was supported at the back and sometimes at the sides by wide hair combs, which might be as plain or fancy as the wearer desired.  These combs also helped to support the huge hats of the late Victorian and Edwardian period, as illustrated in the contemporary photograph which is dated 1895.

Size: 3 x 4¼  ins (approx 8 x 11 cms)

£35.00

Art Nouveau Faux Tortoiseshell Back Comb

Ref: AN-1008-036

This very beautiful Art Nouveau to Art Deco period hair comb dates from the period 1900-1920. This was a transitional period when the curvy Art Nouveau style was being transmuted into the formalised geometry of Art Deco. The comb is of celluloid faux tortoiseshell with gilded decoration on the heading. It is of the type called a back comb being deeply curved to fit the back of the skull and to support the elaborate padded hairstyles and immense hats of the period.

By this period genuine tortoiseshell was becoming expensive and most hair ornaments which appear to be made of tortoise are, in fact, made from synthetics.  As the Art Nouveau style gained in popularity, a whole class of popular jewellery was mass produced this reproduced the typical motifs of the genre, but was manufactured by machine and in materials like celluloid.

Size: 3½ x 5 ins (approx 9 x 12.5 cms)

£30.00