Early 19th Century Pressed Natural Horn Mantilla Style Comb
Ref: AN-1301-028
Horn was one of the most popular materials for hair combs in the 19th century, not only because the material was cheap, but also because it could be easily treated to obtain a number of decorative effects. It could be dyed a range of colours and was most often dyed to resemble tortoiseshell
This high topped comb has been given a treatment by which it bears a resemblance to the demi-blonde form of tortoiseshell. Although tortoiseshell was the material of choice, it was very much more expensive than horn. Therefore it was customary to treat many horn combs with a series of dyes which attempted to simulate the mottled effect of natural tortoiseshell. The horn was first pressed under heat, which rendered its keratin structure virtually invisible and the horn translucent. It was then treated with various dyes to simulate the random mottling of tortoiseshell
Combs like this were worn as shown in the final two pictures which are taken from contemporary paintings of the 1830s. We can see that the sitters are wearing high standing combs of similar type.
Size: 5½ ins h x 5½ ins w (14 x 14 cms)
£70.00
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