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.
He changed the imagination of the world for all time. Here are an orchid, and something I’ve never seen before: hair sticks with a bouquet of coral flowers on top, very geisha, very Japonisme. The cattleya orchid is made of ivory, gold, enamel, horn, and diamonds and resides in the Cleveland Museum of Art, c.1903-1904. The coral flowers grace the MuseeD’Orsay in Paris, c. 1902.
This is a replica of a comb, which Auguste Bonaz made for the Algiers Exposition in commemoration of the centenary of Algeria in 1930. The original was celluloid, and he chose the Spanish Mantilla style in his design.
One of the things I saw on my honeymoon was the diamond exhibit at the Houston Museum of Science. One diamond tiara worn over a tight top bun by Selma Hayek to a White House dinner and a Cartier diamond barrette survived to become web pictures, so here they are. 
This comb, called Marbella, has two interlocking intricate pieces, one white, one black. Each is decorated asymetrically with rhinestone-encrusted flowers. Ateliers in Paris only made 4 of them. This is a magnificent piece of modern art.
Similarly, this camelia barrette with leaves that look spontaneously placed decorating a plethora of crystals, is also a rare piece.
Henry Wilson (1864-1934) made this crystal & chalcedony tiara with wings of gold on either side, and Cupid in the centre. The tiara is c.1908 and resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum. He was a leading figure in the British Arts and Crafts movement and was described as the “arch individualist.” His authored ‘Silver work & Jewellery,’ which was published in 1903.
A beautiful Lalique comb with a gold top centered by a woman wearing a hat, surrounded by two birds. One bird head is outside the design. The other is hidden behind the design. The comb is made of horn. Listed for $3000, an offer of $2000 was accepted on March 21. The markings said Lalique Paris 585. You may refer to auction #200321633101.
A lovely ivory pheonix comb that the Chinese made for the Victorian market sold for $266 on March 26. You may refer to auction #350180262355.
Finally, an Angela Cummings barrette she made for Tiffany’s in the 1980s sold for $990 on March 25. She is a wonderful designer known for her original interpretations of natural forms in gold and diamonds. You may refer to auction #360140208688.
Whiplash scrolls bookend this comb, bordered in gold plaque. Rene’s theme was wheat stalks with webbed terminals, which he realistically decorated in yellow and orange translucent enamel. He signed this one. c. 1900. This comb and the original drawing sold at Sotheby’s for $25,200.
This beautiful art deco comb looks like it’s folded-over fabric. The dealer said it came from the family of a bodyguard and friend of Abraham Lincoln, but he only had the word of the family. Provenance cannot be proved, so poof on the value of that, but the comb’s design is fabulous. It sold for $162.50 on March 23. You may refer to auction #310129381111. Although the dealer calls it a Victorian comb, it’s not. This is 1920’s deco in beautiful form.
Oval cameos are surrounded by pierced ivy leaves in this ironwork tiara, made in Berlin c. 1900. It is part of a parure, which includes a necklace, two iron bracelets, and a set of neo-gothic earrings. It’s all selling at Christie’s in Amsterdam on March 31, with an estimate of $2700.