SIZE AND CONDITION: 2½ x 3¾ ins; good vintage condition.

This handsome and glitzy side comb has an elaborate pierced gilt metal heading reminiscent of filigree. However this example is in cast metal. It is liberally decorated with a row of faux pearls and another of large claw set AB rhinestones.

The comb probably dates from the mid 20th century and would have been worn at the side as shown on the mannequin. Picture 9 shows a similar comb from a contemporary advertisement.

MORE INFORMATION BELOW:

AB stands for Aurora Borealis. It is a special coating (developed in 1955) that is applied to the surface of a glass stone or bead to produces a rainbow-coloured sparkle. It echoes all the vibrant oranges, yellows, blues and greens of the Aurora Borealis, the *Northern Lights* atmospheric phenomena.

In the late 1940s or 1950s. there evolved the style which we call neo-Baroque and which became newly fashionable from the late 1940s. 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. This return to much more elaborate and colourful jewellery was a reaction against the much less colourful and geometric style called Art Deco, which began about 1915 and lasted until the late 1930s. This vogue for more colourful and elaborate jewellery forms was led from the USA, where some of the most beautiful Baroque style costume jewellery was produced. With newly developed techniques of mass-production America took over from Paris as the leading exponent of stylish costume jewellery for the wider market.