Monthly Archives: January 2010

I bought this

Posted on January 25, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

Set of two Meiji tortoiseshell kanzashi with plovers on them. The last two shell kanzashi I bought arrived broken. Let’s hope the third one’s the charm! lol I paid a whopping $77 for them on ebay. I love the seller, … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Edo, the era of beauty

Posted on January 24, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

All the artists who made these combs, c. 1800, are unknown. The first is carved and incised ivory with openwork, showing two cranes pointing at a family crest, which in Japanese is called KA-MON. KA means families with their own … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo Hair Comb, Japanese Hair Comb | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Peacock

Posted on January 23, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

First, Rene made a simple horn comb. Then he attached a gold medallion with inlaid mother-of-pearl clovers. He elongated the horn on the top-right to frame a real peacock feather. To hold the feather in place, he carved and attached … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Nouveau, French Hair Comb, Lalique | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Diamond and Sapphire Tiara

Posted on January 17, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

C. 1850, this tiara’s wreath boasts seven graduated oval-shaped sapphire and diamond flowerheads. They rest on a rose-cut diamond branch. In the middle is the most elaborate flower and largest sapphire. Last summer, it sold for $100,144 in London.

Posted in English Hair Comb, Tiara, Victorian Hair Comb | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tanimbar Whale Bone Comb

Posted on January 12, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

Sometimes tribal artists can grab your eyes to look at and understand their ancient worlds. This whale-bone comb from the Tanimbar Islands in the Maluku Province of Indonesia dates back to the 1900s, as the patina shows. The head figure … Continue reading →

Posted in Indonesian Hair Comb | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Bats and Sapphires

Posted on January 5, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

Rene Lalique made a comb he called, “Bats.” I did a collection of combs with rats and bats on them, I guess this was his entry into rodent life. :-) They are made of blue enamel on a horn comb. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Nouveau, French Hair Comb, Lalique | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

I bought this.

Posted on January 5, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

Had to. It had ballies on the end of it. It is stamped Dominick & Haff, an American silver company, 1871, 100% Sterling. The design is quite unusual. I wanted it. C’est la vie.

Posted in American Hair Comb | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Solomon Islands

Posted on January 3, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

This comb comes from the Solomon Islands of Australia. Its curve was made by a flattened hand. Twenty-five dark-brown tapered wooden prongs form the teeth. The top is held together with thin strings of woven plant fiber, creating compatible red … Continue reading →

Posted in African Hair Comb, Australian hair comb | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Child & Child

Posted on January 2, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

Best known for its British Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau jewelry, this firm opened in 1880, producing neo-Renaissance pieces. From 1891 – 1916, the imaginative, bright enamel work on their peacock, wing, and insect designs won them Royal patronage. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Nouveau, British Arts and Crafts, English Hair Comb, Tiara, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment