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 Art Deco fan shaped overlay hair comb in the classic spokes and scroll design.

SIZE: 6 ¾ x 6¼ ins.

CONDITION: this comb is of the type that was originally made in two pieces with the tines fused to the heading. It has come apart at some time in the past and appears to have been rejoined. The repair appears quite stable. No other issues.

DESCRIPTION:

A large and striking celluloid overlay fan shaped hair comb in the iconic spokes and scroll motif. 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 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.

The design here is a variation of the classic spokes or sunrays in which openwork lines radiate outwards from the base of the comb is a very typical motif in Art Deco combs. Some people interpret the spokes as representing the wheel, and thus symbolising the fascination with speed and machinery. Others believe that the rays represent the sun, and indicate the popular fetish for sun bathing and outdoor exercise.