Egyptian Revival Hair Comb with Multi Coloured Enamel and Rhinestones
Ref: DE-1401-006
This unusual comb and very beautiful hair comb is an excellent example of how the Egyptian Revival movement was interpreted for the popular taste. The base material is French ivory with a tall oval heading supporting. The central panel incorporates the iconic sunray motif, in which blade like shapes arise from the base and radiate outwards. This is surrounded by a deep border with graduated arch shapes.
The surface of the comb is decorated in red, blue orange and green enamel combined with gilding. This brilliant effect is further enriched with rhinestones in blue, green red and amber. The colours used – deep blue, red, dark green and gold, are typical of ancient Egyptian tomb paintings and give the comb its Egyptian look.
The Oriental theme in costume and ornament was very strong in the opening years of the 20th century. This taste for the exotic was given a fresh impetus by the discovery of the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamen in 1922. There was no attempt to reproduce genuine Egyptian ornaments, and the designs were a pastiche featuring Egyptian type motifs such as scarab beetles or the heads of pharaohs, or featuring typical Egyptian materials such as faux turquoise, coral or lapis lazuli.
The final pictures are taken from popular glamour postcards of the early 20th century and shows sitters dressed in Egyptian style headdress and costume.
Size: 6 ½ ins h x 3 ½ ins w (16 x 9 cms)
£150.00
|