Pair (2) Antique French Napoleon III (Victorian) Blond Tortoise Shell Hair Combs, Seed Pearls, Excellent

A stunning c.1850-90s matching pair of hair combs, tiara, one a little larger than the other (measurements noted on photos). They’re in wonderful condition and are hand crafted from blond tortoise shell, heavy brass ornametation and set with seed pearls. Larger of the 2 is a full 4″ wide, 3″ height. 

Very good to excellent condition for age and type. There are no chips, splits, hairlines or bug bites. They’re completely sanitized, ready to wear or display. The mounts at top of each are hand-crafted and peg-mounted, consistent with fine quality of their era. Set with seed pearls, it appears to me the originals are half-pearls and there are a few that have been replaced over time, perhaps with full pearls (see images). One is chipped and needs to be replaced if you want them even more perfect than they are. 

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.