A handsome mid century Spanish mantilla hair comb in celluloid faux tortoiseshell

 

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

 

SIZE: 9 x 9 ins (23 x 23 cm) decorative part 5 ins h (13 cm)

 

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1960s – 1970s

 

MATERIALS: faux tortoiseshell celluloid

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

Here we have a handsome Spanish mantilla comb in celluloid faux tortoiseshell, which probably dates from the 1960s to 1970s. It has a wide curved heading whose panel is filled in with classical leaf and scroll designs.

 

It was probably produced as a tourist souvenir for the Spanish travel industry which began to expand in the late 1950s – early 1960s. The growth of this industry promoted a renewed interest in Spanish costume, music and dance and hair combs were popular souvenirs. They are also purchased by Spanish dance groups worldwide.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

 

This comb is of the type known as a Spanish or “mantilla” comb because it resembles the traditional ornaments worn by Spanish ladies with their native dress. In this tradition a beautiful lace scarf, white for unmarried women and black for married, was draped over a high comb which was made of beautifully carved tortoiseshell.

 

The use of the very tall Spanish comb has a very long history of use throughout the 19^th century. The production of the opera “Carmen” led to a fashion for high Spanish combs in the 1870s, and they again became the rage during the early 20^th century Art Deco period. In some of these combs the heading might be as much as eight or ten inches in height.