A handsome Spanish style hair comb decorated in the iconic sunray design

 

CONDITION: I missing stone otherwise good vintage condition with expected wear

 

SIZE: 6 x 5½ ins (15 x 14 cm) decorative part 3½ ins h (9 cm)

 

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1910s – 1920s

 

MATERIALS: celluloid, rhinestones

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

Here is a large and handsome Art Deco celluloid comb in a combination of dark olive green and black translucent material. It had a leaf or sunray design in the centre, surrounded by a double fancy border with scroll work.

The heading design is typical of many combs of the period, with radiating lines or panels resembling sunrays, or perhaps the spokes of a wheel. One theory is that the idea of sun rays comes from the popular vogue for sunbathing which began at this time. Previously ladies had shunned the idea of sunbathing. Another theory is that the spoke like designs reflected the wheel, and the obsession with speed and technology. This was the age of the car and the plane after all!