This sale is for a lot of two neo Baroque gold tone hair accessories. They date from the 1980s, a decade whose glitzy jewellery is very much back in fashion.

The comb is big and glitzy. Is appears to be in unworn condition and is probably old store stock from the mid 1980s. It is an all metal construction in bright gold tone metal, with split prongs and a very elaborate riveted on heading which takes an upstanding triangular form. This is made in a neo-Baroque openwork filigree design and is further embellished with a clear rhinestone in the centre. It measures 3½ x 4 ins and appears to be in mint condition.

The second ornament is a large and heavy quality gold tone barrette of a rectangular shape with pointed ends. Is has an openwork filigree like design with formalised scrollwork, volutes and florals which are typical of the neo Baroque style. The back is fitted with a spring clip. Is measures 4 x 2¼ ins and is in very good vintage condition with no problems that I can see.

You can read more below about these items.

The elaborate ornaments found on these hair accessories are made in a style which we call neo Baroque. The Baroque was originally an important art movement of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and was characterised by rich and elaborate decoration, heavy scrollwork, and a great deal of opulent gilding. Neo-baroque is a design language made for luxury. It includes elements such as voluptuous patterns, floral ornaments and embellishments in all shapes and sizes. In jewellery and personal ornaments we find strong lines and visual contrasts. Favourite motifs include scrollwork, heavy overblown flowers and fat volutes, often combined into designs which are asymmetrical. These are heavily embellished with large gemstones, pearls and rhinestones.

The costume jewellery industry flourished in the 1980s, and women experienced a new freedom and confidence to wear frankly fake fashion jewellery. In fact, the bigger and glitzier the better! In the USA glamour came in the far reaching influence of Television shows like Dynasty, which were watched by millions of viewers around the world. The shows epitomized an era of glamour and decadence that later became the hallmark of the American primetime soap operas of the 1980s. Picture 9 shows a publicity still of Joan Collins in her role as Alexis Carrington, the arch bitch of the series whom women loved to hate.

The fashion hallmarks of the decade were big shoulders, big hair and co-ordinating costume jewellery. Hair was teased and ratted out, and this ‘big’ hair cried out to be balanced by glitzy jewellery in gilt settings with huge fake looking stones. Hair accessories of the period were certainly neither small nor delicate!