A nicely marked Victorian faux tortoiseshell Spanish style hair comb

 

CONDITION: good vintage condition with expected wear

 

SIZE: 4½ ins h x 3½ ins w (11 x 9 cm) decorative part 2 ins h (5 cm)

 

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1890s – 1900s

 

MATERIALS: celluloid faux tortoiseshell

 

DESCRIPTION:

Here is a classic faux tortoiseshell comb of the type which was worn in the mid to later Victorian period. The comb has a high curved heading and is fashioned out of one large solid piece of the mid brown mottled form of faux tortoiseshell. The material is very nicely marked and polished. The “tortoise” type patterning is very pronounced, with well defined mottling of lighter semi transparent patches on a dark opaque ground. The comb has five tines which are nicely shaped and have no loss or breakage.

The collage picture shows further examples of such hair accessories taken from contemporary sources and the hair styles with which they were worn