Late Victorian or Edwardian Rhinestone Comb

Ref: AN-0208-006

This pretty faux tortoiseshell effect hair comb has an oval heading with an incised design which is filled in with white pigment. The design, which features formalised florals, is accentuated with bright green and amber rhinestones.

By the late 19th century genuine tortoiseshell had become an expensive luxury material and was widely imitated by celluloid faux tortoise effects.

Picture 6 is from a contemporary photograph and shows how small combs like this were worn standing proud of the head.

Size: 5 x 2 ins (approx 13 x 5 cms) 

£25.00

Late Victorian Faux Tortoiseshell Comb

Ref: AN-0208-008

This handsome late Victorian hair comb is of the type popularly called a mantilla comb, because it resembles the ornaments which are worn by Spanish ladies in their native dress.

Such combs became very popular from the 1870s with the opening of the opera Carmen. They remained in fashion well into the 20th century. This one has an openwork design with solid panels alternative with those featuring open scrollwork.

By the late 19th century genuine tortoiseshell had become an expensive luxury material and was widely imitated by celluloid faux tortoise effects. Picture 6 is from a contemporary photograph and show how large mantilla combs like this were worn standing proud of the head.

Size: 5 ¼ x 3 ½ ins (approx 13 x 9 cms) 

£30.00

Late Victorian Faux Tortoiseshell Comb

Ref: AN-0208-009

This handsome late Victorian hair comb is of the type popularly called a mantilla comb, because is resembles the ornaments which are worn by Spanish ladies in their native dress.

Such combs became very popular from the 1870s with the opening of the opera Carmen. They remained in fashion well into the 20th century. This one has an oval heading with an openwork design with solid panels alternative with those featuring open scrollwork.

By the late 19th century genuine tortoiseshell had become an expensive luxury material and was widely imitated by celluloid faux tortoise effects. Picture 6 is from a contemporary photograph and show how large mantilla combs like this were worn standing proud of the head.

Size: 6 x 3 ins (approx 15 x 8 cms) 

£30.00

Mid Victorian Archaeological Hair Comb

Ref: AN-0208-014

This unusual hair comb is made in the style which we call archaeological. Throughout the 19th century a series of important excavations revealed treasures from the past which inspired the design of personal ornaments and jewellery.

The reproductions were not intended to replicate the ancient treasures, but rather to incorporate various motifs, often in an indiscriminate manner.

This comb has a curved gilt metal heading incorporating the heads of rams at each extremity. From each hangs a faux ruby and faux pearl. The influence is probably that of ancient Assyria, and comes from the excavations carried out in Ninevah in the 1840s.

Size: 3 ¾ x 3 ½ ins (approx 10 x 9 cms) 

£50.00

Art Nouveau Style Titanic Replica Hair Comb

Ref: AN-0208-016

This very beautiful art nouveau style hair comb is not old at all but a contemporary replica. It is made to celebrate the film Titanic as a reconstruction of the hair accessory worn by Rose, the heroine.

The J Peterman company first came up with a replica of the Titanic Rose comb, and these now sell for 400-600 dollars. This one is a close approximation and just as beautiful but at just 100 dollars is much more affordable.

The comb features an attractive butterfly design with semi transparent wings made in the enamel technique known as plique a jour. This form of decoration is a typical one in particularly French hair combs of the art nouveau period.

Each of these lovely combs is hand finished and so all are slightly different.

Size: 4 ½ x 4 ½ ins (approx 11 x 11 cms) 

£50.00

Victorian French Ivory Hair Comb

Ref: AN-0208-017

This large and handsome late Victorian comb is made in a synthetic material which is popularly known as French ivory or sometimes Ivorene.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries genuine ivory was becoming rare and expensive. Also people were becoming concerned at the ecological effects of the slaughter of elephants for their tusks. French ivory was initially invented to provide a substitute for ivory billiard balls but was soon being used for vanity items such as combs.

This handsome example has a tall upstanding heading with an intricate openwork design. It has a slightly yellowish caste as in naturally aged ivory and is quite substantial in weight.

Picture 6 is from a contemporary photograph and shows how small combs like this were worn standing proud of the head.

Size: 4 ¼ x 4 ins (approx 11 x 10 cms) 

£40.00

Red Tinted Horn Mantilla Style Hair Comb

Ref: AN-0109-017

This is a tall red tinted comb made from natural horn and dating from the 1870s or 1880s. It has a stand up heading of the type which was generally known as a mantilla comb. This resembled the very tall combs which are worn by Spanish ladies with their native dress.

There was a fashion for combs of this type in the late 1870s after the debut of the opera Carmen and the style lasted until the end of the century in various guises. This one has the usual scalloped profile and a pretty openwork design. Horn was one of the most popular materials for comb making because of the ease with which it could be dyed, carved and moulded.

The final picture shows a wearer with a similar high comb and is taken from a Victorian cabinet photo circa 1880s.

Size: 4½ x 3½ ins (approx 11 x 9 cms)

£30.00