This beautiful 18K-gold, pearl, and lapis Victorian crown-shaped tiara on a tortoiseshell comb is a magnificent example of period artwork, c.1850. However, it is selling on Ruby Lane for $4850. There is the slightest of damage to the last tine on the right, but I don’t think it devalues the piece. But $4850? I guess it’s a Sotheby’s price. The enamel comb I showed a few posts down sold at Sotheby’s for 9375 GBP. Good luck to the dealer. It is beautiful.
A revival tiara with three enamel portraits of 15th-century women, hinged to a faux tortoiseshell comb sold for $496 on July 1. The portraits were framed in silver in the middle of a highly ornamented silver tiara with paste red and blue stones. It was a beautiful Victorian Renaissance Revival piece, c. 1870.
There is also a 14K gold eagle, signed P Brandt, hinged to a three-pronged tortoiseshell hair pin in its original box.
On July 16, Sotheby’s is auctioning this jaw-dropping Victorian hair comb, c.1895. The top is hinged onto a tortoiseshell comb. In the center is an opal, surrounded by stylized roses and leaves in plique-à-jour polychrome enamel. It’s estimated value is 3,000 – 5,000 UKP. It sold for 9375 GBP.
A one-of-a-kind killer, fabulous, over-the-top Victorian Algerian with crystals and a satin finish gold dore mount sold for $483.90 on June 25 to jcollect, a serious and wonderful collector. Congrats, Jo. You may refer to auction #120273363617.
A classic shell comb with an elaborately textured 14K gold mount sold for $350 to kundrynyc on June 22. You may refer to auction #220245861658.
A beautiful garnet tiara hinged to a tortoiseshell hair pin did not sell for the seller’s asking price of $325 on May 30. You may refer to auction #160243735428.
However, a similar piece did sell for $259.50 on June 23. You may refer to auction #220247128220.
This Duhume American Sterling silver engraved comb is being offered at $399. No one bought it. One offer seems pending. You may refer to auction #270242886093.
This gorgeous Victorian gold and pearl hairpin sold for $822 on May 25. I loved it. Here it is. Congratulations to the winner.
This diamond and pearl tiara on a two-pronged blonde tortoiseshell comb, c. 1890, is being sold at Sothebys in Hong Kong on April 10, 2007. Est. $32,000 to $38,000. :O That’s a shocking price, but let’s see! I have never seen anything as over-the-top before in this style. This is fabulous! I’ll report the final price.
Here is Sotheby’s description: “The centre decorated with a spray of stylised flowering motifs, set throughout with circular- and rose-cut diamonds, highlighted by three natural pearls, on a series of scrolls supporting graduated star motifs set with similarly-cut diamonds, mounted in silver topped gold, to a three-pronged comb of horn, connected by a metal hinge and frame.”
Beautifully written, as usual, but it said “three-pronged comb of horn.” I might be getting old, but I see a two-pronged comb of blonde shell. ;-)
At any rate, who cares! Oh boy. :-)
Hand-done plique a jour is extremely rare. I have only seen one other piece with this kind of work, and it was part of the Norma Hague collection. This Victorian gold-and-silver plique ball and chain on a tortoiseshell hairpin, c. 1840, is a masterpiece. A Maltese Falcon. I love it unashamedly, but I knew how much I’d have to pay if I was going to outbid myrnatoo, so I had to let her have it. heh.It sold for $450 on Feb. 18.
This gold cap has dragons on it, and the dragons have ruby eyes. C. 1880 and English, it sits on a blonde tortoiseshell comb. I bought it for $349 on Feb. 20.
Hi Peeps :-) I have been so busy with work and writing a book, there hasn’t even been a moment to blog! I am so sorry about this. A lot has happened in the comb market since my last post. I guess I’ll start with the lovely stuff that has been sold on ebay, and then move to other venues. The first thing I’d like to talk about is Victorian garnet hairpins, c. 1880. The small garnet tiara cluster on a two-pronged hairpin is a common design, but they are all beautiful. Maybe it would help collectors if a fair price could be recommended. On January 21, an ebay member paid $750 for this bohemian garnet tiara hinged on a two-pronged hairpin of clarified horn: 
Antiques and Uncommon Treasure on Ruby Lane is selling this garnet tiara hinged to a two-pronged tortoiseshell hairpin for $295. She also has a matching garnet ring and bracelet to complete a set, each sold seperately. 
This ebay seller did not meet her reserve when buyers only bid $179 for this garnet tiara hinged to a 2-pronged tortoiseshell comb on Feb 7.
And an ebay seller tried to sell this garnet tiara, tortoiseshell hairpin for — if I remember correctly — around $1000. Please correct my memory if you saved this auction. I only saved the photo. Why $1000? The box is Faberge. Is there documented provenance placing that hairpin in that box? No. I guess if I feel an item is worth $300, and I’m going to pay $700 for a box, I’d want peer-reviewed documentation placing that object in that box by that jeweler. No one bought this piece.
I’m going to go out on a limb. ;-) I think the $300 range is a fair price for garnet hairpins of this style and size, in excellent condition. If you pay over that, it could be auction frenzy, provenance that it came from a famous jeweler, or the name of the jeweler with the year marked on the back. Makers marks most certainly add value. How much is up to you.
In 1898, Miss Bellhouse got an invitation to the 50th wedding anniversary party of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rawson. With her invitation came this silver-gilt floral-spray tiara. She saved it in its original box and put it away. The silent moment as she packed it away and closed her drawer, knowing her treasure was safe, stays with me. I bought this from Bath Antiques Online as a private sale for $400 in 2003.
The Victorian and Edwardian periods produced a lovely style of comb: shell with a metal tiara attached, which folds back. Here is a real one. Diamond and Shell comb, c. 1890. Floral spray tiara with European-cut old-mine diamonds, which weigh approximately 3 carats. Est. $3000 – $5000. Sotheby’s. Final Sale Price: $7200.
These tiaras are decorated with glass crystals or fake pearls. They were made c.1870-1880 and sell for around $550 each.
