Overview
A beautiful selection of antique personal vanity items featuring repoussé sterling silver mounts with flowing Art Nouveau floral and foliate designs. The set includes a small hand brush with natural bristles, a faux-tortoiseshell hair comb with a heavy sterling spine, and a smaller celluloid comb with a delicate sterling silver edge band.
Story
In the late 19th century, a lady's dressing table was her private sanctuary. These intricate silver tools were designed to turn the daily, laborious ritual of brushing out long hair into an act of pure, luxurious art.
Maker / Origin
While the specific maker's marks are not visible in the photo, prominent silversmiths of this era like Unger Brothers, Foster & Bailey, and Gorham dominated the market for these highly decorative vanity wares. They specialized in the repoussé technique, which pushed the silver out from the back to create high-relief, romanticized botanical patterns.
Condition & Value
The silver shows a lovely, natural patina that highlights the deep recesses of the floral design. The comb teeth appear remarkably intact with no major breaks visible, which is rare for vanity items of this age. Some minor surface scratches and tiny dents consistent with gentle use over a century; overall very good antique condition.