Late Victorian hair dagger or hair pick with gold pique decoration

NO US IMPORT FEES 

CONDITION: good vintage condition

 

SIZE: 6½ x 1¼ ins (17 x 3 cm)

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1890s – 1900s

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

NO US IMPORT FEE

 

Towards the end of the 19th century there was a vogue for single pronged ornaments of the type which we would now term hair picks or hair sticks. These were known at the time as “hair swords”. They were typically worn by being thrust into the topknot with the decorative top of heading standing out at an angle. This effect is shown in the final collage illustration.

 

Her is a typical example in celluloid faux shell of a beautiful translucent amber colour.. It has a wedge shaped top with pierced work and gold pique decoration.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

 

The decorative treatment known as pique is the inlaying of precious metals into another material, usually tortoiseshell, but occasionally steerhorn or other substances. This technique has a long history, and was extensively used for the decoration of hair combs and other personal adornments during the reign of Victoria. When gently heated, usually by insertion in hot water, natural organic materials soften to permit the inlaying of small pieces of metal or other substance. When cool, the ground material contracts to hold the pieces in tightly in place without the need for adhesive.

 

Single-pronged ornaments have a long history. Typically they have a long pointed shaft which pierces the hair. The top or heading is usually decorated in some fancy manner, with pierced work, gilded metal, or stones. These single pronged hair pins appear in a wide variety of materials such as faux shell, cowhorn, or celluloid. The best are decorated with materials such as French Jet or mother of pearl.