Imitation Goldstone Scalloped Comb

Ref: DE-1008-003

Combs like this are known as imitation goldstone. This fancy glittering effect was one which became popular with the introduction of new synthetics in the early 20th century.

Small gold fragments are suspended within a clear plastic, similar to celluloid, and the effect can be seen on both sides of this spectacular hair accessory.

Picture 4 shows the back of the comb. Picture 9 is taken from a contemporary postcard and shows a model with a very similar type of comb.

Size: 5¾ x 5 ins (approx 14.5 x 12.5 cms)

£25.00

Glitter Comb with Green Rhinestones

Ref: DE-1208-001

This very pretty and unusual comb is probably made from one of the newer synthetics, either Catalin or Lucite, which allowed a number of exotic decorative effects. In this case the openwork design on the heading has been made with tiny gold metallic fragments which are suspended in the plastic.

Combs like this seem to have originated in the USA and are generally known as “glitter” or sometimes “goldstone” effect combs. This is in imitation of the mineral known as goldstone which has glittering iron pyrites in it. The more unusual ones like this elaborate scalloped design are further embellished with rhinestones.

The final picture shows a contemporary advertisement for combs from a French magazine. The model on the right is wearing an oversized example set at a jaunty angle which is typical of the period.

Size: 7½ x 6 ins; (approx 19 x 15 cms)

£35.00

Large French Ivory Lacy Spanish Comb

Ref: DE-0903-012

For an example of this same design in black see DE-0903-006. This very large black Spanish style hair comb is made in one of the most popular and iconic Art Deco styles. It has a radiating design of spoke like lines, in between which are placed panels of lace like openwork.

This is a very typical motif in Art Deco combs, and in the art of the period. Some people interpret the spokes as representing the wheel, and thus symbolising the Futurist fascination with speed and machinery.

This is a very large comb and similar to that which appears in the final illustration, from a coloured illustration in the French EROS magazine.

Size: 8 x 7 ins ( approx 20 x 18 cms)

£40.00

Green Mottled Celluloid Overlay Comb

Ref: DE-0903-013

This immense fan shaped comb is the very spirit of Art Deco, a style which was marked by symmetry, geometric shapes, and general stylisation of decorative motifs. Here the geometric decoration is like the fine fretwork found on Chinese screens for a very powerful effect.

Art Deco designs incorporated Cubist and Futurist art which influenced fashion, architecture and interior design. Very jazzy and geometric, the designs celebrated all the excitement of the machine age and were definitely more angular, fantastical and bold than the previous flowing designs of the Art Nouveau period.

This is a very large comb and similar to that which appears in the final illustration, from a coloured illustration in the French EROS magazine.

Size: 8 x 7½ ins (approx 20 x 19 cms)

£45.00

Jade Green Geometric Pattern Comb

Ref: DE-0903-014

Celluloid was a material which lent itself to a variety of decorating techniques, and many different varieties were employed to embellish the fashionable hair accessories of the Art Deco period.

One of the most important was its ability to simulate natural materials such as tortoiseshell, amber, or, as here, jade. The strong contrasting shapes within the heading show a deep appreciation and understanding of the potential of the material.  

This very beautiful comb has random mottling to simulate the appearance of oriental jade and is made in yet another variation of the iconic sunray design.

Size: 8¼ x 7½ ins (approx 21 x 19 cms)

£45.00

Large Jade Green Lacy Design Comb

Ref: DE-0903-015

Here is yet another large faux jade mottled comb with a wonderful openwork lacy design based upon a combination of radiating spokes and panels of complex scrollwork. Many of these Art Deco combs reflect the modern qualities of the modernist and futurist art movements, and the aesthetics of the Bauhaus.

In Modernism the emphasis was upon the medium, and the process of production, rather than the intrinsic value of the materials, while the Bauhaus was an attempt to combine craftsmanship and high design with mass production.

This is a very large comb and similar to that which appears in the final illustration, from a coloured illustration in the French EROS magazine.

Size: 6½ x 7¼ ins (approx 16.5 x 18.5 cms)

£45.00