Blonde Tortoiseshell Griffin

The griffin, or eagle-lion, is generally portrayed with wings, a beak, eagle claws and feathered, and pointy ears. Some traditions say that only female griffins have wings. Griffins found themselves on the cross of St. George, Greek mythology, Persian poetry, Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Divine Comedy.

I saw this comb on Ruby Lane. The dealer mentioned that she didn’t know if it was celluloid or shell. Three seconds after I looked at it, an unconscious force led my fingers to the shopping cart. Suddenly, when I regained consciousness, it had been delivered. I’d say this is a griffin on a hair pin hand carved out of one piece of blonde tortoiseshell, England, c. 1880.

7 thoughts on “Blonde Tortoiseshell Griffin

  1. peggy elliott

    Oh, Barbara, did you make an amazing find! Good for you – this is absolutely gorgeous.

    Now, where do you plan to wear it?! ;o)

    Reply
  2. BarbaraAnne Post author

    Can’t wear it. Under glass. And I have to take the reflection of the stand out of the picture. More work. :-)

    Reply
  3. BarbaraAnne Post author

    I guess she didn’t! I think many dealers specialize in other things or buy estates and sell off the pieces individually. They are not comb specialists.

    Reply
  4. BarbaraAnne Post author

    Also, thank you Alain for taking the reflection of the top of my plastic stand out of the picture!!!!!!!!! It just solidifies that I must go to Bordeaux and Paris for photography lessons, aka an excuse to drink wine and eat foie gras. :-)

    Reply

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