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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Any Jewelry, post: 436437, member: 2844&quot;]Lovely elegant comb, Kimbert. This one is not a mantilla comb or peineta, but a &#039;regular&#039; fashion item, ca 1890-1900.</p><p><br /></p><p>It looks like molded celluloid to me, also where the chip is. Most old decorative combs are celluloid or other plastics. Some are carved celluloid or natural materials, and some are (precious) metal.</p><p><br /></p><p>If yours is a natural material it is more likely to be stained horn that tortoiseshell. Stained horn will also smell of hair in the hot water test scouts explained.</p><p>If it is carved rather than molded, you&#039;ll see some irregular serrated edges where it was carved, like in this picture of a carved celluloid comb:</p><p><img src="https://www.antiquers.com/attachments/upload_2018-3-23_10-40-41-jpeg.117181/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>One easy way of telling if something is tortoiseshell is to look if the dark spots are layered. If a spot is seen in lower layers as well as the outside, it is tortoiseshell. If not, it is stained horn or celluloid, usually the latter.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have a collection of decorative combs and wear mine on special occasions. Nowadays I wear my hair in a bun if I do, it is the easiest way for me.</p><p>In Spain I was taught a way to wear a comb without actually putting your hair up. I used to do that when I was younger, and it works.</p><p>I hope the following explanation works, it is easier to explain in person, when you can demonstrate it:</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Divide your hair in two, with a parting from ear to ear. The back part will remain loose.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Divide the front of the hair in three, top and two sides. Use clasps to hold the locks in place while you are doing the other locks of hair.</p><p><br /></p><p>3. Bring the lock of hair on the right side to the back, over the loose hair at the back, and secure with bobbypins just left of the centre of the back of your head. Use those bobbypins with a textured surface, those don&#039;t slide out easily.</p><p><br /></p><p>4. Bring the lock on the left side to the back, over the hair you just secured, and secure with bobbypins just right of the centre of the back of your head, overlapping the other bobbypins. It is best if the overlap including bobbypins is about the size of the width of the teeth of your comb. Give or take, it is not an exact science.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/wink.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=";)" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>5. Brush the top hair back over the two overlapping locks so the bobbypins are completely covered.</p><p><br /></p><p>6. Push the comb in the loose top hair, making sure it is behind the two overlapping locks and the bobbypins.</p><p><br /></p><p>The bobbypins are the clue, and they make sure the whole thing doesn&#039;t fall apart. The comb should feel like it fits snugly behind the locks of hair and the bobbypins, and won&#039;t come out when you shake your head.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are threads with some of my hair jewellery:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.antiquers.com/threads/silver-and-celluloid-decorative-comb-mystery-origin.25865/#post-347016" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.antiquers.com/threads/silver-and-celluloid-decorative-comb-mystery-origin.25865/#post-347016">https://www.antiquers.com/threads/silver-and-celluloid-decorative-comb-mystery-origin.25865/#post-347016</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.antiquers.com/threads/help-with-chinese-silver-marks-on-hair-ornaments-please.17758/#post-243181" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.antiquers.com/threads/help-with-chinese-silver-marks-on-hair-ornaments-please.17758/#post-243181">https://www.antiquers.com/threads/help-with-chinese-silver-marks-on-hair-ornaments-please.17758/#post-243181</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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