Regency Tortoiseshell and Cut Steel Hair Comb with a Shooting Star

Regency Tortoiseshell and Cut Steel Hair Comb with a Shooting StarMade of tortoiseshell and cut steel, this early 19th century comb was designed as an ornamental piece for the back of a Lady's hair. The stunning design features a depiction of the Great Comet of 1811, also known as Napoleon's Comet, which dazzled the sky for almost a year with its massive coma measuring over a million miles. Many saw it as a portent of Napoleon's plans to invade Russia and the war that followed in 1812. The Regency period saw the

Made of tortoiseshell and cut steel, this early 19th century comb was designed as an ornamental piece for the back of a Lady's hair. The stunning design features a depiction of the Great Comet of 1811, also known as Napoleon's Comet, which dazzled the sky for almost a year with its massive coma measuring over a million miles. Many saw it as a portent of Napoleon's plans to invade Russia and the war that followed in 1812.

The Regency period saw the revival of cut steel jewellery, which gained great popularity thanks to its notable patron, Napoleon. In fact, he even presented his second wife, Marie Louise, with a cut steel parure as a wedding gift in 1810. (Reality was he could not afford a gemstone one. This type of adornment became a must-have for fashionable women's evening attire, thanks to its dark and sparkling diamond-like appearance that was (and still is!) especially striking in dimly lit settings, such as candlelight.

As a highly sought-after item during its era, this Regency comb made of tortoiseshell and cut steel features a captivating nighttime appeal. Its desirability was such that it often surpassed the worth of gold and even led to the creation of silver pieces imitating its design, further establishing its iconic reputation.

Cut steel jewellery was a popular alternative to diamonds. It was made by carefully riveting small steel studs onto a thin metal baseplate - a laborious process. The polished steel faces were meant to catch the light and sparkle similarly to rose cut diamonds - it looks utterly divine by candlelight! 

Furthermore, this item is featured in the publication "Georgian Jewellery" written by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings, on page 125.