Large faux shell Art Deco Spanish mantilla style headpiece with pierced openwork CONDITION: good vintage condition with acceptable wear for age SIZE: 9 ins h x 7 ins w (23 x 18 cm) decorative part 5½ ins h (14 cm) APPROXIMATE DATE: 1920s MATERIALS: celluloid DESCRIPTION: Here is a large and handsome celluloid faux shell hair comb dating from the Art Deco era. It is made in the Spanish style and demands attention. It is not for the faint hearted! A large curved heading rises up a full four inches (10 cm). It has a decorative border of scallops and open work placed above a solid panel in the center of the heading. The final picture shows some contemporary examples of these Spanish style combs. FURTHER INFORMATION: This type of ornament is often known as Spanish or mantilla comb because it resembles a smaller version of the traditional large ornaments worn by Spanish ladies with their native dress. Any comb which has a high upstanding heading or top which stands proud of the top of the head is often called a mantilla comb. Such combs are worn placed high on the head in order to allow the beauty of their ornamental cresting to be admired. Such large and elaborate combs became extremely fashionable in Britain and America during the early 20th century. They were worn in a characteristic manner, being placed in the side or back of the hairdressing at an acute angle, and in such a way that the tall heading stood up proud. This enabled the often beautiful openwork decoration or the decorative effect which had been applied to the material, to be viewed from all angles, and for the details to be seen effectively outlined against the light. FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM, Ask me about my convenient Layaway plan on selected items