Elegant 19th century (Napoleon III era, c.1850-70s) French chignon comb in carved tortoise shell. You see the arch to it that fits it to the curve of the scull. Very chic, and sought after today, as well as then. Most of these were actually products crafted in Naples, and there was a particular dealer located in Paris, "G.B. Morabito", where items like this and also red coral and other items from Naples could be found and I've included a photo of that Paris store, c.1870s. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, a heavy arch of elegant shell with all of the tines present, not a single bug bite at tips (see images). At 4" long, imagine it holding your own long hairstyle, and the cascading hair as you pull the comb free. We all love these! I'm letting go of my lifelong collections. Found many years ago.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
