Vintage Japanese Silvertone Hair Comb

Ref: ET-0608-004

This pretty vintage Japanese hair comb or kushi is made in the Art Nouveau influenced western style and probably dates from the early 20th century. Japanese art was one of the major stylistic influences upon Art Nouveau.

The heading is in polished brass and silver and has the swirled organic lines which are typical of the style, as is the asymmetric design.

For more information on such ornaments and Japanese hairdressing see my guide on Japanese Kanzashi in the articles section.

Size: 3¾ x 2¾ ins (approx 9.5 x 6 cms)

£25.00

Vintage Japanese Comb and Hairpin Set

Ref: ET-0808-002

This very beautiful and colourful hair comb and pin Geisha set is made in silver tone metal decorated in blue, green and scarlet enamel. There are many small faux pearls which embellish the floral design. Some are missing but can easily be replaced.

The workmanship is typical of that done in the 1960s and 1970s and this is very much a modern interpretation of a very ancient style.

For more information on such ornaments and Japanese hairdressing see my guide on Japanese Kanzashi in the articles section.

This is a particularly elaborate vintage Japanese hair comb and hairpin set, probably dating from the second half of the 20th century. The measurements are as follows:

Size: Comb (kushi) 6 x 3 ins (approx 15 x 7.5 cms)
        Hairpins (Kanzashi) 8 x 1½ ins (approx 20 x 4 cms)
        Kogai (bodkin) 9¼ ins (approx 24 cms)
        Kogai end pieces 2½ ins diameter (approx 6 cms)

£150.00

Vintage Chinese Silver Hairpin

Ref: ET-0808-005

This vintage Chinese silver comb of hairpin dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. The design features various lotus symbols which are raised up on stalks. The Lotus flower has been a popular symbol for hundreds of generations. It is one of the eight Buddhist symbols of good fortune.

The lotus flower is a symbol of purity, which rises unsullied through muddy water. It symbolises the persistence of purity and tenacity despite the difficulties of the immediate environment.

The final picture is an illustration of the kind of elaborate court headdress used in the 19th century of which such ornaments were often a constituent part.

Size: 3½ x 2¾ ins (approx 9 x 6 cms)

£30.00

Mexican Silver and Amethyst Side Comb

Ref: ET-1108-001

A fine Mexican hand made silver hair comb decorated with leaf motifs, scrollwork and three large circular amethyst cabochons.

Mexican artisans from Taxco have long been renowned worldwide for their handcrafted sterling silver jewellery. Although some of this jewellery is marked by the artist or studio, much fine work is not.

Typically we find a mass produced plastic or Lucite hair comb to which has been riveted a beautiful hand wrought heading, as here. This beautiful side comb is unmarked. The Lucite comb base shows some separation in the teeth but is intact.

Size: 2 x 4 ins  (approx 5 x 10 cms)

£25.00

Vintage Oriental Silver Hair Comb with Sea Creatures

Ref: ET-0808-009

This oriental silver hair comb may be either Chinese or Japanese and probably dates from the early 20th century. It is decorated along the top with a collection of sea creatures an octopus, an anemone and a pair of lobsters in the centre.

In Chinese symbolism lobsters symbolise wealth and harmony while in Japan they indicate happiness.

The octopus symbolises intelligence and adaptability to the Japanese while in China is has a variety of deep meanings alluding to the qualities of water.

Size: 3¾ x 2½ ins (approx 9.5 x 6 cms)

£20.00