Object of the month archive

Victorian Spanish Mantilla Comb (Acc. No. 4778)

This beautiful and enormous hair comb is a Spanish "peineta" which would have been put into a bun or chignon on the back of the head and would have had a mantilla or lace veil draped over it. This particular comb was worn by the donor's mother on her wedding day.

This comb is Victorian and dates from the nineteenth century. It is during this period that there was a growing obsession with accessories and fashion trends. The innovations in manufacturing, the growth of the middle classes, their growing affluence and interest in manners had a profound effect on the speed of change in design and fashion. It accelerated to a point where there was a need for the bizarre, such as glass walking sticks, jewellery made from beetles and accessories made from real exotic birds. This comb represents an extreme in its size. The comb is made of tortoise shell, which comes from the horny plates found on the back of the hawksbill turtle. This material was widely used for both its beauty and practical properties. It becomes mouldable when heated in a similar way to plastic. Fortunately turtles are now protected by law and there are many synthetic materials that can be used in place of tortoise shell.

This Victorian comb is on display at Hereford Museum and Art Gallery in the accessories case.