Art Deco Celluloid Comb with Moulded Fruit
probably USA

Ref: DE-0208-015

This handsome and unusual Art Deco hair comb is typical of hair accessories made in the USA at this period. This pretty ornament dates from approximately 1910-1925 and is made in dark brown celluloid with a design of fruit which has been carefully moulded in relief and then hand painted.

The brightly coloured design features grapes, strawberries, pumpkins and peaches together with their leaves. I have seen only three or four of this type of comb and they are very rare and much sought by collectors. This one is in excellent condition.

Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides. This feature is shown in many illustrations of the period.

You can read more about Art Deco combs in my several guides in the ARTICLES section.

Size: 6 x 3½ cms (approx 16 x 9 cms)

£40.00

Art Deco Celluloid Comb with Moulded Fruit
probably USA

Ref: DE-0208-016

This handsome and unusual Art Deco hair comb is typical of hair accessories made in the USA at this period. This pretty ornament dates from approximately 1910-1925 and is made in dark brown celluloid with a design of fruit which has been carefully moulded in relief and then hand painted.

The brightly coloured design features grapes, pumpkins, squashes, apples and pears together with their leaves. I have seen only three or four of this type of comb and they are very rare and much sought by collectors. This one is in excellent condition.

Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides. This feature is shown in many illustrations of the period.

You can read more about Art Deco combs in my several guides in the ARTICLES section.

Size: 5 x 4¾ ins (approx 13 x 11 cms)

£40.00

Art Deco French Ivory Dragon Comb
probably USA

Ref: DE-0208-017

This spectacular Art Deco hair comb is typical of hair accessories made in the USA at this period. This attractive ornament dates from approximately 1910-1925 and is made in a synthetic substance called French ivory or sometimes Ivorene.

This was designed to substitute for genuine elephant ivory which was becoming an expensive luxury material by this period. The wide asymmetric shaped heading features a motif of a coiled dragon.

This is a typical design of the period when there was a taste for oriental motifs such as dragons, lotus flowers, and bamboo. Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides. This feature is shown in many illustrations of the period.

You can read more about Art Deco combs in my several guides in the ARTICLES section.

Size: 8 x 6½ ins (approx 20 x 16 cms)

£60.00

Art Deco Faux Tortoiseshell Comb
made in Switzerland

Ref: DE-0208-018

This handsome faux tortoiseshell Art Deco hair comb is typical of hair accessories made at this period. This pretty ornament dates from approximately 1910-1925 and is backstamped Made in Switzerland on the back of the tines. It is made in celluloid faux tortoiseshell with a fan shaped openwork heading that features a number of radiating spokes or panels.

This is a typical design of the period and is generally known as the sunray pattern. The attractive openwork heading is completed on the outer border by swirled motifs which produce a scalloped profile. Such combs, which have a mantilla like appearance, were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides.

This feature is shown in many illustrations of the period and can be seen in the photograph on the mannequin.

You can read more about Art Deco combs in my several guides in the ARTICLES section.

Size: 6 x 4½ ins (approx 15 x 11 cms)

£25.00

Art Deco Faux Green Rhinestone Floral Hair Comb

Ref: DE-0208-021

This handsome medium sized comb is in the popular celluloid faux tortoise effect and features an attractive floral design which is further embellished with bright green rhinestones.

The classic fan shaped heading shows a transitional phase between the naturalistic motifs and designs of Art Nouveau and the more geometric formalism of the later Art Deco. The radiating spokes at the base of the heading echo one of the most iconic Art Deco symbols, found on many combs of this period.

Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides.

Size: 5½ x 5 ins (approx 13 x 14 cms)

£30.00

Art Deco Pink Moiré Hair Comb

Ref: DE-0208-022

This handsome Art Deco period hair comb is made in one of the fancy effects which were made possible by the use of synthetics like celluloid. In this period we find combs which resemble ivory, marble, amber and, as here, moiré.

The surface of the comb has a watermark similar to that found on a piece of watered silk. The effect is best seen at the base of the heading which is a classic version of the iconic spokes on sunray design. In this motif spoke like lines radiate outwards in a fan shape from the top of the tines, resembling the rays of the sun. They terminate on an outer border of scrollwork, giving a scalloped profile.

Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides.

Size:6½ x 6 ins (approx 16 x 15 cms)

£30.00

Art Deco Blue Rhinestone Hair Comb

Ref: DE-0208-023

Along with the Spanish style fan shape the tall mantilla type wedge was one of the classic forms found in Art Deco period hair combs.

This handsome version in faux tortoiseshell celluloid has a border of open scrollwork and a highly ornamental central panel. This has a highly complex gilded design which is accentuated by bright blue rhinestones of which six are missing. The comb has interesting waved prongs which help is retain its balance in the hair.

Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides.

Size: 6¾  x 4  ins (approx 16 x 15 cms)

£30.00

Art Deco Amber Rhinestone Hair Comb

Ref: DE-0208-025

This pretty faux amber Art Deco hair comb is made in translucent celluloid in the iconic spokes or sunray design.

Spoke like lines radiate outwards from the base of the heading and are accentuated with lines of bright amber rhinestones. The sunrays form openwork panels which are filled in with scrollwork.

Such combs were worn standing proud of the head at an acute angle so that they could be seen from all sides in the manner seen on the mannequin.

Size: 7¼ x 6  ins (approx 18.5 x 15 cms)

£30.00

Black Gothic Scrollwork Hair Comb

Ref: DE-0903-002

This is a handsome and somewhat gothic looking Spanish style comb whose heading takes a rounded curve. It is a variation of the iconic design whereby spokes or openwork lines or panels radiate outwards from the base of the heading.

This is a very typical motif in Art Deco combs, and in the art of the period. In this example the panels resemble the shape of palm leaves, indicating the popular influence of Egypt which permeates the Art Nouveau of the late 1930s.

The final picture is taken from a contemporary coloured postcard where the sitter wears a similar Spanish style hair comb.

Size: 6½ x 5¼ ins (approx 16.5 x 14 cms)

£35.00