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Stunning Vintage 9 Inch Inlaid Red Lacquer Hairpin Set browse these categories for related items... All Items: Estate Jewelry: Ethnic: Far Eastern: Pre 1980: item # 696358 GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear 56 Calle Monte Aplanado, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone: 505.205.1404 Guest Book $35 SALE (Reduced from $45) Free U.S. Shipping & Gift-Wrap if Desired |
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These gorgeous vintage hair ornaments will fasten your hair up quickly and securely, adding exotic style while also being far kinder to hair than bobbypins and bands. Although they're usually called hair sticks now, these are technically one point hairpins -- a type used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as well as in Asia. These are clearly an Oriental version: longer than the European sort and worn in pairs, often crossed in the middle. That was a Japanese innovation, but the cinnabar red color here also evokes China. Especially exciting and unusual about these is their highly abstract decoration. Conventional motifs from nature are a great deal more common than these lavish swirls of antique gold and cinnabar black. Each pin also has six inlaid panels of iridescent carved abalone plus a host of smaller accents that appear to be white shell. A lot of hand-craftsmanship went into this ornamentation, which is well sealed under clear lacquer. Presumably there's wood at the core, but none is visible. Overall condition is fabulous, showing no surface wear without high magnification and no losses of inlay. Each pin is 9 inches long, with an effective length (the undecorated part that actually goes into your hair) of about 4.5 inches. The lower portion is smooth as silk, which is important for avoiding damage, and finishes with the rounded narrow point that also signifies high quality. Provenance is the New Mexico estate of a lady who acquired them in San Francisco during the mid-1970s. Actual age is unknown, but they have to be at least 30 years old. The 1920s wouldn't be out of the question, since Oriental hair ornaments of this type were exceedingly popular then; if that's the case, they're antique, rather than just vintage. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking! |
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