GLEN COVE, NY.- An important museum-quality collection of over 240 Victorian Hair Combs, Hair Pins and Ornaments, all from a private collector, will be presented at
Roland Auctions NY upcoming Saturday, September 19th auction at 10am.
Of course, Fine and Contemporary Art, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, Antique and Mid-Century Modern furniture, Silver, Asian Art, Rugs, Jewelry and Lighting, along with a beautiful selection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany will all be represented at the multi-estates auction. Previews for the September 19th auction will be held on Thursday, September 17th and Friday, September 18th from 10am until 6pm.
Rarely does one find a collection spanning the years from the late 1700s to the present that includes English, French, American, Spanish and Japanese examples. These hair ornaments vary greatly in design, material and technique, reflecting the popular dress and style of each era and country. In short, this is a rare and beautiful collection reflecting the passion of a discerning collector, who started their collection in the 1960’s.
Antique 18 karat gold and black enamel hair comb, French, late 19th century. . Est $1,800 USD - $2,400 USD.
Techniques employed include plique-a-jour, damascne work, cloisonn, pique, en tremblant, intricate carving, repousse and niello work. Most of the ornaments are constructed with metal, gilt metal, gold, silver, celluloid, diamond, pearls, jade, amethyst, coral, paste and faux gemstones. Some combs have provenance, while others have literature references, each is different yet important, such as the Victorian Gold and Seed Pearl Barrette, American, formerly from the Estate of President John Quincy Adams, a set of Five Edwardian Diamond and Seed Pearl Hair Pins in platinum-topped yellow gold, accompanied by a red leather case, an Antique Tama Kanzashi Pique Hair Pin and a comb from the estate of legendary actor Edward G. Robinson
The collection is reminiscent of the extensive selection of Victorian hair combs at the Fashion Museum Bath in the United Kingdom, prompting legendary fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo, a longtime friend of the collector, in the 1990’s to suggest to the Metropolitan Museum that they put this New York based collection on exhibit, but the timing did not allow that to happen.
French Empire coral and gilt metal hair comb, late 18th century. Est $300 USD - $500 USD.
Highlights from this rare collection, now offered at auction for the first time ever, are a Pair of Tiffany & Co. late Belle Epoque to early Art Deco diamond and platinum hairpins, circa 1910, the rectangular frame with pierced stylized flower buds defined by 444 old mine cut diamonds with mill graining, bearing plaque "Tiffany & Co. Est: $2,000 USD - $3,000 USD, a pair of Belle Epoque platinum topped yellow gold diamond and cultured pearl hair combs, probably 20th century, the shaped comb with stylized feather motifs, having 290 round brilliant cut diamonds with cultured pearl accents. Est: $1,000 USD - $1,500 USD, a Victorian gold and seed pearl barrette, American, late 19th century, the Louis XV inspired frame with delicate engraved scrollwork enclosing a net field accented with seed pearls, marked "14k" to reverse. Est: $1,000 USD - $1,500 USD an Art Nouveau pierced gold floral barrette, late 19th-early 20th century, the wavy band featuring floral and fruit motifs, bearing "M" mark, frame tests for 14 karat gold (clasp is metal). Est: $800 USD - $1,200 USD and a French Empire coral and gilt metal hair comb, late 18th century, the arched pierced band surmounted by faceted coral beads, above a conforming row of smaller beads enclosed in gilt metal foliate wreaths, continuing to a delicate pierced metal band above gilt metal teeth. Provenance: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. William Floyd Nichols and Mrs. Langdon Tyler. Ref.: Antique Combs & Purses by Evelyn Haertig, pg. 105. Est: $300 USD - $500 USD.
Pair of Belle Epoque platinum topped yellow gold diamond and cultured pearl hair combs, probably 20th.century Est $1,000 USD - $1,500 USD.
Others include an Antique 18 karat gold and black enamel hair comb, French, late 19th century, the shaped crest with zig-zag motif, with French assay mark and illegible maker’s mark. Est: $1,800 USD - $2,400 USD, an Art Nouveau Georges Pierre carved horn painted barrette, French, late 19th-early 20th century, featuring a dragonfly design, marked to reverse "GIP". Est: $300 USD - $500 USD, a French Empire inspired carved and posse pique decorated winged hair comb, early 20th century, the hinged crest of carved wings accented with gold beading. Provenance: Estate of Edward G. Robinson. Ref.: Antique Combs & Purses by Evelyn Haertig, pg. 133. Est: $100 USD - $200 USD and a Victorian branch coral hair comb, probably English, 1880. Est: $200 USD - $400 USD.
Set of eight George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) New dining chairs. Est $20,000 USD - $30,000 USD.
In the art arena, they’ll feature a Romare Bearden (American, 1911-1988) collage on wood titled "Memories", from the Ritual Bayou Suite, from Shorewood Graphic Workshop, with original color brochure, framed on panel. Est: $2,000 USD - $3,000 USD and a Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) HE (Artist's Proof) 1/3, lithograph "El Caballero" ("The Horseman"), published by Shorewood, New York, 1970. Framed and matted under glass. Est: $700 USD - $900 USD, among many others.
Sheffield monumental silver plate and vermeil grand centerpiece, Est $20,000 USD - $30,000 USD.
Mid-Century furniture will feature a set of eight George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) "New" dining chairs in black walnut and hickory, 1950-60s, comprising two armchairs and six side chairs, with marker inscriptions to undersides. Est: $20,000 USD - $30,000 USD and a George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) walnut lounge chair rocker, 1970s, with marker inscription to underside. Est: $15,000 USD - $20,000 USD.
Tiffany Furnaces Bronze & Favrile Glass Table Lamp. Est $15,000 USD - $20,000 USD.
While in Decorative Arts and other areas, Roland is offering an R. Lalique aubergine glass "Monnaie du Pape" vase, French, designed in 1914 by Rene Lalique, model 397, depicting "moonpennies" of the honesty plant, signed the base R. Lalique, etched France. Est: $3,000 USD - $5,000 USD, a Gilt Bronze Centerpiece, Ferdinand Barbedienne Louis XV gilt bronze centerpiece, French, last quarter of the 19th century, designed as a tazza, signed F. Barbedienne. Est: $3,500 USD - $4,500 USD, a Sheffield monumental silver plate and vermeil grand centerpiece, probably late 19th century/early 20th century. Est: $20,000 USD - $30,000 USD and a Tiffany Furnaces bronze and Favrile golden glass acorn shaped table lamp, signed on the base Tiffany Furnaces New York 8782, the shade signed on the interior lip S173 L.C.T. Favrile. with brown patina and red and green accents. Est: $15,000 USD - $20,000 USD.
Please join Roland NY at 150 School Street in Glen Cove, NY for this upcoming auction on September 19th, 2026 at 10am. **For further information call 212-260-2000 or visit:
www.rolandantiques.com
