An attractive late Victorian amber colour steer horn hair comb with an openwork design

 

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

 

SIZE: 5½ ins h x 2 ins w (14 x 5 cm) decorative part 3 ins h (7.5 cm)

 

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1880-1900s

 

MATERIALS: steer horn

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

Here we have a handsome late Victorian Spanish hair comb made in steer horn. The comb has a light and airy openwork design composed of a large loop and scroll work.

 

This beautiful two pronged or hair pin hair ornament is an excellent example of the smaller and daintier hair accessories which were worn at the end of the Victorian period.

 

The collage picture shows some examples of sitters wearing similar hair accessories and is taken from contemporary fashion illustrations of the period.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

 

This type of ornament is often known as Spanish or mantilla comb because it resembles a smaller version of the traditional large shell ornaments worn by Spanish ladies with their native dress. In practice any comb which has a high upstanding heading or top which stands proud of the top of the head is often called a mantilla comb.

 

Fashions in hair dressing changed in the last few tears of the 19^th century. The styles were simpler and a softer, fluffier appearance was fashionable. Along with these more feminine coiffures hair accessories grew smaller, lighter and more delicate.

 

Horn was one of the most popular materials for hair combs in the 19th century, not only because the material was cheap, but also because it could be easily treated to obtain a number of decorative effects.