Exceptional Combs were for the wealthy in the late 1700's through the mid 1800's
This one is fashioned from blonde shell or horn, and inlaid with hundreds of tiny gold stars. Imagine the work that went into creating this comb, first making an indentation in the base material, fashioning the gold stars, and then inlaying them one by one. The beautifully curled piece is attached to the comb tines with three tiny screws. There may be some gold stars which have been lost over the years, (I have not found any indication of this) but this beautiful comb is in the 200 year old range, and quite rare. Pique' is a french word, meaning literally "to pick". Designs were "picked" out of the material with fine drills and needles, and then gold was laid into the crevices.
The comb measures approximately 3 1/2 inches long. It is 4 5/8 inches at its widest point.
