This is one of a series of themed sales featuring combs and hair accessories produced during the Art Deco period of the early 20th century.

This sale is for a very large fan shaped hair comb in celluloid overlay with a classic spoke and scroll motif.

SIZE: 6½ x 6¼ ins.

CONDITION: good, no visible issues.

DESCRIPTION:

A large and impressive celluloid overlay hair comb whose fan shaped heading incorporates two iconic Art Deco motifs; the scroll combined with radiating spokes. The comb was produced in a two-tone casting whereby a core of one colour is overlaid upon a shell of another. Here, for example a transparent core has been cast with a shiny mottled black upper shell producing an interesting topographical effect with peaks of black and transparent edges. These are best seen around the edges of the design and the tips of the tines.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

These Spanish style combs were worn in a characteristic manner, being placed in the side or back of the hairdressing at an acute angle, and in such a way that the tall heading stood up proud. This enabled the often beautiful openwork decoration or the decorative effect which had been applied to the material, to be viewed from all angles, and for the details to be seen effectively outlined against the light.

This manner of wearing the decorative comb is shown in the accompanying photographs on the mannequin and in picture 9. This is taken from a contemporary magazine illustration and shows a sitter with a Spanish style hair comb of similar design.