Child & Child

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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. In 1916, the firm closed.

This piece, which is signed, might be part of their earlier work. Hinged to a tortoiseshell comb, the silver tiara is laced with garnets. What I love about it though is the hat on top with its ribbons flowing through silverwork. It sold at Sotheby’s for 1350 UKP.

However, when Child & Child’s artistry became revolutionary, one of their most famous pieces was a tiara of two bright blue enamel peacock wings, which sold at the Tadema Gallery in London. I know the price range was over 20,000 UKP, but I cannot imagine the exact, final price.

Edo and Meiji Comapred

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Whether the artist used rosewood, tortoiseshell, or blackwood, combs shaped like a rainbow became known as Gen’nai Gushi. In the 1700’s, two combs weren’t enough. A woman had to wear three. Kogai sticks became bigger because women wrapped their hair around it to make a chignon.

From 1711 – 1716, the Shotoku era of the Edo period, women began to wear both combs and kogai sticks. Sets were made.

From 1716 – 1736, the early Kyoho era, kogai started out wide, thin, and short, but by the end became long and straight. They were replaced by kanzashi for pure ornamental decoration.

Here are a few examples of kogai sticks from the Edo and Meiji periods so you can see how the shapes developed.

The first kogai stick, made of metal, is Edo. The others are Meiji.

Some exquisite Edo Combs

Front

Back

A mid-Edo tortoiseshell comb with mother-of-pearl hydrangeas and gold maki-e, signed by Nagano Oteki

A Edo Era tortoiseshell kushi and kogai set with a peony design.

A Meiji set with a mother-of-pearl moon, flowing water, and maki-e autumn leaves.

Joseph Hodel Comb

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A major figure in the British Arts & Crafts Movement, Joseph Hodel partnered with the Swiss metalworker Louis Weingartner in London. He was also joined the Bromsgrove Guild. Both men supplied the Guild with smaller scale metalwork. In 1908, Hodel left for Liverpool, teaching there until the 1920s. This piece, c. 1906, resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Carlo and Arthur Guiliano Comb

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This brooch comes with a fitted tortoiseshell comb and a brooch pin, so the wearer can choose which kind of jewelry she wants to wear. Signed C & AG. C. 1895. The ornament consists of diamonds, enamel, a moonstone, and a pearl.

In 1874, the father Carlo opened a retail shop, Carlo and Arthur Giuliano. By this time, Egyptian Revival jewelry had gone out of fashion. Renaissance was in. As the Giuilianos were a master artists, they didn’t copy designs. Instead, they interpreted French 17th Century enamelwork to suit late-19th century tastes.

This piece is selling at Sotheby’s for an estimated value of $15,000 to $20,000.

Two Nice Japanese Combs On Sale

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The first comb is not in perfect condition. There are bug bites, and the seller is accurate in showing them. However the comb takes you into a Japanese water garden with lillies. I have not identified the plant whose leaves line the pond. A Meiji artist painted this. Right now, it’s at $90 with 7 days to go. I assume it will go higher, but I have no idea what the winning bid will be. I’ll update this post in a week.

There is another late 1800s Edo comb for sale, lovely gold, black, and red design. There are also bug bites on the tines, but this one is selling for $67.99 with 16 hours to go.

Well, I’m a Rabbi’s Wife, You see, So…

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The British Museum has collected 250,000 UKP toward the 300,000 UKP it needs to purchase this early 18th Century Hanukah lamp. On loan, the museum has displayed it for over 70 years.

In 1709, Elias Lindo married Rachel Lopes Ferreira. Elias commissioned this lamp from silversmith John Ruslen in 1709. The Lindos figured prominently in the early community of Spanish and Portuguese Jews in London. They were founding members of the Bevis Marks Synagogue, established in 1701.

Elias’s father, Isaac Lindo (1638 – 1712), fled the Inquisition in the Canary Isles and settled in London in 1670. The backplate of the Hanukah lamp is chased with the figure of Elijah fed by the ravens, in a play on the patron’s Hebrew name.

“Mine” Seagulls from Finding Nemo ;-)

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I just wanted it: a real Victorian 1840s, ivory, Peigne Josephine comb, in perfect condition. There was a reserve. I’m not sure what it was, but the bid below me was $589, and I won it for $650. That’s a big difference in the price between bids on ebay. I have a feeling the seller’s reserve was $650, and I met it. Here is my treasure.

Piel Freres Buckle/Barrette

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This buckle, which can also be worn as a barrette, sports two dragonflies looking at each other. It is made from gilt- and silver-plated metal, metal enamel, and the stones are paste. It is marked with the correct PF signature and was made c. 1905. In the literature, it is listed in the book, “The Belle Epoque of French Jewellery 1850-1910, Munich, 1991, p.273-277.” It is selling at the Tadema Gallery in London for $5,000 +.