Celluloid Overlay Comb with Amber Rhinestones

Ref: DE-1108-004

One of the most interesting things about early synthetic combs was the way in which various layers in contrasting colours could be superimposed upon one another.

This technique was called celluloid overlay.  is where the ornament is made from two distinctly coloured layers. Here, for example a translucent core has been cast with a shiny black shell, and then hand finished by being carved and engraved. This produces an interesting topographical effect with peaks of black accentuated by amber rhinestones and translucent edges to the design.

The final illustration is a postcard reproduction of the actress Clara Bow wearing two large Spanish style combs in similar fashion.

Size: 6½ x 5 ins; (approx 15 x 13 cms)

£40.00

Unusual Shape Faux Tortoiseshell Comb

Ref: DE-1108-007

This is an extremely unusual hair comb and I have never before seen one this exact shape. It appears to be done in the so-called Egyptian Revival style.

The taste for the exotic was given a fresh impetus by the discovery of the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamen in the early 1920s. This led to ornaments in the so-called Egyptian Revival style. There was no attempt to reproduce genuine ornaments, and the designs were a pastiche featuring Egyptian type motifs such as papyrus flowers, scarab beetles or the heads of pharaohs.

The papyrus motif appears on the extremities of the heading of this unusual faux tortoise coloured hair comb.

Size: 6½ x 6 ins; (approx 16 x 15 cms)

£25.00

Black Gothic Sunray Design Hair Comb

Ref: DE-1108-008

This is a striking Art Deco black gothic hair comb in the iconic sunray shape which we find endlessly repeated in comb headings of this period. The strong zigzag shapes show a deep appreciation and understanding of the potential of the material.

Perhaps more surely than any other kind of personal adornment Art Deco hair combs reflect the qualities of the modernist and futurist art movements. In Modernism the emphasis was upon the medium, and the process of production, rather than the intrinsic value of the materials, while futurism reflects an interest in machine technology.

On closer examination it appears that this wonderful comb once had two outer tines which have now broken off and been smoothed over. It is therefore priced accordingly. The final picture shows a popular coloured postcard with a similar comb shape.

Size: 7½ x 8 ins;   (approx 19 x 20 cms)

£30.00

Pink Moiré Egyptian Revival Hair Comb

Ref: DE-1208-004

Art Deco is an eclectic style which draws upon many different influences for its ingredients. One of these was the oriental influence of lands like Egypt, which was very strong in the early 20th century. This taste for the exotic was given a fresh impetus by the discovery of the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamen in the early 1920s. 

The stunning treasures were an inspiration to designers in media of all forms. There was no attempt to reproduce genuine Egyptian ornaments, and the designs were a pastiche. They featured various Egyptian motifs like the papyrus and bulrush motifs which we see in the heading of this comb.

This large and handsome ornament is an excellent example of the genre of fancy surface finishes, in this case a pink moiré pattern similar to the effect of watered silk.

Size: 6¾ x 5 ins; (approx 17 x 12.5 cms)

£38.00

Glitter Comb with Multi Colour Shading

Ref: DE-1208-005

This curved comb is probably made from one of the newer synthetics, either Catalin or Lucite, which allowed a number of fancy 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 embedded within it. The more unusual ones like this are often tinted a number of different colours. This one begins at the top with an antique gold effect, through brighter gold to a greenish tinge at the tips of the tines.

The back of the comb has a pinkish golden hue The final picture shows a contemporary advertisement for combs from a British magazine dated 1923.

Size: 5½ x 3¾ ins; (approx 14 x 9.5 cms)

£30.00

Faux Tortoiseshell Filigree Comb

Ref: DE-1208-012

This very large and beautiful celluloid faux tortoiseshell lacy hair comb is an interesting example of a so-called fluted heading. In these combs the top is not flat or gently curved as in conventional examples. Rather the corners appear to have been pulled out like wings while the celluloid was still pliable.

A rear view shows that the heading also has a fluted profile, with the top edge curved slightly forward.

The final picture shows an engraved fashion plate from a British magazine dated 1923. The sitter has an extremely large hair comb worn at an asymmetric angle.

Size: 6 ½ x 7 ¼ ins (approx 16.5 x 19 cms)

£40.00

Large Fluted Celluloid Overlay Hair Comb

Ref: DE-0109-010

This large sized hair comb is made by an interesting manufacturing technique called celluloid overlay. This is where the item is made in two separate castings of contrasting colours. Here for example a transparent base coat has been cast with a shiny upper shell which shows along the edges of the swirled design and the tips of the tines.

The design is a variation of the iconic spokes or sunray motif whereby lines radiate outwards from the base of the heading like the leaves of a fan.

Picture 9 is taken from a contemporary French fashion magazine called EROS and shows a model wearing a similar oversized hair comb at a jaunty angle.

Size: 6¼ x 7 ins; (approx 16 x 18 cms)

£38.00