These Manchu pieces sold at 515 and 641 UKP, with 35 and 26 bids, respectively. Look at the complexity of these designs! They have rubies, yellow and green jade, coral, pearls, kingfisher feathers, and correct backing to solidify them as original royal ornaments.
कंघी
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Is eBay really the best venue for selling something like this?
There’s been an unusual number of surprisingly fine items on the Bay lately, for some reason. Desperate people, maybe?
These are gorgeous. How nice it would be for them to go to a museum where many could enjoy their beauty.
Very interesting comment, Peggy.
The answer to your first question is no. But the economy is bad. It looks like this dealer bought an estate and is selling off individual pieces. I don’t think they have any idea of what they are selling. So their ignorance gives us a chance.
Even at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, unbelievable bargains arise because the “experts” misidentify objects. There is a difference between a comb collector and a jewelry buyer who just happens to buy a hair comb.
You can also still find magnificent pieces at open antique markets or unearth them like Kaj did. And then there are times when we lose the game. The dealer knows, and we want it more, so we pay. Soap opera. :-)
However, your comment about brick-and-mortar museums is very interesting. Getting them to notice hair comb art is what this blog community has transformed into over the 6+ years I’ve been doing it.
A populist movement! I love populist movements. :-) Thank you so much for your perceptions.