This sale is for a bright red vintage Japanese hair comb with hand painted peony theme decoration.

SIZE AND CONDITION: 3 x 2 ½ ins; bears a label on the inside which reads Hand Made and Hand Painted with 99.99% Gold Powder. Good vintage condition.

This pretty red comb has been hand painted with a design of peonies in red, pink and gold. Peonies are one of the favourite flowers in Japanese art and represent female beauty and sensuality.

MORE INFORMATION BELOW:

Japanese and Oriental arts and crafts have traditionally drawn on nature. Cherry, plum, maple, pine, chrysanthemum and others are themes running throughout Eastern art, along with birds and butterflies. In Oriental art flower symbols represent the natural nectar that brings growth, fulfilment and new and prosperous beginnings into our lives. Additionally flower symbols convey beauty, grace and perfection.

Such ornaments are typical of the hairpins which are found in a traditional Japanese coiffure. They are usually worn in pairs and sets, but may be used singly with a very pretty effect. They represent a link with traditional forms in Japanese hair accessories which have been used for many hundreds of years before Western styles began to supplant traditional forms.

Hairpins like these were inserted into the chignon in such a way that the ornamental heading stood out proud from the hair, allowing the beauty of the decoration to be admired. As we can see from the pictures on the mannequin they can be worn with a contemporary hair style to add glamour and interest.

Picture 9 is taken from a book on Japanese traditional hairdressing. It shows a selection of similar combs and hair accessories from the same approximate period.