Comb thumbnail 1
Comb thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

Comb

1800-1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This is a typical 19th-century Japanese ornamental comb. Combs were often made of luxurious and eye-catching materials, in this case lacquered wood. The design of the moon behind a tree cleverly continues around the back, encouraging the viewer to turn it over.

Ownership & Use
This type of comb was meant to be used as a decorative hair ornament rather than as something useful for actually combing the hair. Combs became popular with the emergence of elaborate hair-dos during the 17th century. They complemented the elegant kimono of the wearer and were usually used in combination with ornate hairpins and bodkins.

Time
In the mid-1850s Japan was opened up after more than two centuries of seclusion from the rest of the world. The passion for all things Japanese that this triggered in the West was termed 'Japonisme'. Japanese art objects were avidly bought by Western collectors, artists and designers from specialist dealers or from shops such as Liberty's. Kimono and dress accessories were regarded as the embodiment of Japanese femininity.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wood with black lacquer and gold and silver <i>hiramaki-e</i> and <i>togidashi maki-e</i> lacquer
Brief description
Lacquer comb with moon behind tree
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.5cm
  • Width: 12.1cm
  • Depth: 0.3cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 18/01/1999 by sf
Gallery label
  • In the Edo period, women wore elaborate, upswept hairstyles that were sectioned and held in place with paper strips, hairpins and combs of wood, lacquer or much coveted tortoiseshell. Courtesans had the most elaborate arrangements, with multiple hairpins and two combs. Often their hair spread high above the head. (29/02/2020)
  • British Galleries: COMBS
    To a Victorian audience the image of a woman dressed in a kimono embodied Japan. Items of Japanese women's dress and accessories were popular purchases. Combs such as these were very attractive and not very expensive. They could be bought from specialist dealers and from shops such as Liberty's in London.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Purchased from a source not recorded in the Asia Department registers, accessioned in 1888. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Made in Japan
Summary
Object Type
This is a typical 19th-century Japanese ornamental comb. Combs were often made of luxurious and eye-catching materials, in this case lacquered wood. The design of the moon behind a tree cleverly continues around the back, encouraging the viewer to turn it over.

Ownership & Use
This type of comb was meant to be used as a decorative hair ornament rather than as something useful for actually combing the hair. Combs became popular with the emergence of elaborate hair-dos during the 17th century. They complemented the elegant kimono of the wearer and were usually used in combination with ornate hairpins and bodkins.

Time
In the mid-1850s Japan was opened up after more than two centuries of seclusion from the rest of the world. The passion for all things Japanese that this triggered in the West was termed 'Japonisme'. Japanese art objects were avidly bought by Western collectors, artists and designers from specialist dealers or from shops such as Liberty's. Kimono and dress accessories were regarded as the embodiment of Japanese femininity.
Bibliographic references
  • Jackson, Anna (editor), Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, London: V&A Publications, 2020
  • Rout, Josephine, Japanese Dress in Detail, London: Thames & Hudson, 2020
Collection
Accession number
38-1888

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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