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Art Deco Collection |
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Click image for gallery view |
Blue Rhinestone Fan Shaped Hair Comb
Ref: DE-1208-009
This is a very beautiful and elaborate Art Deco hair comb in the classic design of the unfurled fan. The radiating lines, which are thickly encrusted with sapphire blue rhinestones, form the spokes of the fan while the panels of delicate openwork set between represent the leaf. The design is topped off by a series of rhinestone encrusted disks.
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. There is one rhinestone missing on the right of the heading.
The comb has also been repaired at some time in the past by stabilising two of the roundels on the edge. This is only visible from the back.
Size: 7 x 7½ ins; (approx 18 x 19 cms)
£65.00
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Click image for gallery view |
French Ivory Fan Shaped Comb with Rhinestones
Ref: DE-1008-018
The design of the fan shaped heading on this lovely French ivory comb features a series of complex radiating lines placed beneath openwork arches. Panels of scrollwork appear between the arches and the design is accentuated by clear rhinestones. None are missing but some have darkened. The final illustration, taken from a contemporary coloured postcard, shows a model with a similar fan shaped comb.
This is a variation of the classic spokes or sunray design and a typical motif in Art Deco combs. Some people interpret the spokes as representing the wheel, and thus symbolising the fascination with speed and machinery. Others believe that the rays represent the sun, and indicate the popular fetish for sun bathing and outdoor exercise. Another interpretation is that of the palm leaf, which brings in an “Egyptian” flavour.
Size: 5½ x 6½ ins (approx 14 x 16.5 cms)
£50.00
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Click image for gallery view |
Openwork Comb with “Fountain of Youth” Design
Ref: DE-1008-019
In the heading of this shiny black comb we have a stylised representation of another iconic Art Deco motif, which is often called the “fountain of youth”. The curving lines in the centre of the heading suggest jets of cascading water similar to that of a fountain. The final picture shows how these large combs were often placed at an asymmetric angle and derives from an engraving in a fashion magazine dated 1923.
One of the most interesting things about early synthetic combs was the way in which contrasting colours could be superimposed upon one another in a manner known as celluloid overlay. They were produced in a two-tone casting whereby a core of one colour is overlaid upon a shell of another. This effect is best seen around the edges of the design and the tips of the tines.
Size: 6 x 7 ins (approx 15 x 17.5 cms)
£35.00
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Click image for gallery view |
French Ivory Comb with Gilding and Rhinestones
Ref: DE-1008-020
This is a modified version of the perennial fan shaped Spanish style comb shaped like an unfurled fan. It is made from French ivory and has an attractive scalloped profile. It is decorated with amber rhinestones and panels of openwork scrolls. This is a variation of a popular decorative motif of the period whereby a series of spoke like lines radiate outwards from the base of the heading. Here the design shows some transitional influence in the use of large chubby scrolls.
These Spanish style combs were worn in a characteristic manner, being placed in the side or back of the hairdressing at an acute angle, and in such a way that the tall heading stood up proud. This enabled the often beautiful openwork decoration to be viewed from all angles and for the details to be seen effectively outlined against the light. This manner of wearing the decorative comb is shown in the accompanying photographs on the mannequin and in the last picture. This is taken from a contemporary magazine illustration dated 1923 and shows a sitter with a Spanish style hair comb of similar design.
Size: 6½ x 5½ ins (approx 16.5 x 14 cms)
£35.00
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Click image for gallery view |
Celluloid Overlay Comb with Turquoise Moiré Effect
Ref: DE-1008-022
One of the most striking things about these early synthetic combs is their use of a number of different surface treatments to give such exotic effects as mother of pearl, marble, or amber. This lovely comb has been produced in a two toned casting known as celluloid overlay. The bright turquoise top coat has been made to suggest the effect of moiré or watered silk. This effect is best seen at the base of the heading and on the leaf shaped motifs which fill the heading. The flowers and foliage are rendered in a manner which suggests some Art Nouveau influence and the flowers are accentuated by dark blue rhinestones.
These Spanish style combs were worn in a characteristic manner, being placed in the side or back of the hairdressing at an acute angle, and in such a way that the tall heading stood up proud. This enabled the often beautiful openwork decoration or the decorative effect which had been applied to the material, to be viewed from all angles, and for the details to be seen effectively outlined against the light. This is shown in the accompanying photographs on the mannequin and in the final picture which is taken from a contemporary coloured postcard of a sitter with a Spanish style comb.
Size: 7¼ x 5 ins (approx 18.5 x 12.5 cms)
£40.00
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Click image for gallery view |
Fan Shaped Spanish Comb with Green Rhinestone Trim
Ref: DE-1008-024
This is a modified version of the perennial fan shaped Spanish style comb which is shaped like an unfurled fan. This one is made from translucent celluloid and has an attractive scalloped profile. It is decorated with light and dark green rhinestones and panels of openwork scrolls. This is a variation of a popular decorative motif of the period whereby a series of spoke like lines radiate outwards from the base of the heading. Here the design shows some transitional influence in the use of large chubby scrolls.
These Spanish style combs were worn in a characteristic manner, placed in the side or back of the hairdressing at an acute angle, and in such a way that the tall heading stood up proud. This enabled the often beautiful openwork decoration to be viewed from all angles and for the details to be seen effectively outlined against the light. This manner of wearing the decorative comb is shown in the accompanying photographs on the mannequin and in the last picture. This is taken from a contemporary magazine illustration dated 1923 and shows a sitter with a Spanish style comb of similar design.
Size: 6½ x 5 ins (approx 16.5 x 12.5 cms)
£35.00
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