Orchid Comb

Description This orchid comb is carved from a single piece of ivory and is set on a gold stem striped with brown enamel. Three leaves extend from the base of the blossom rendered in "plique-à-jour" enamel graduated in hue from delicate peach to pale olive. The central vein of each leaf begins with a short section of light grey enamel and is followed by a row of graduated diamonds. Brown enamel covers portions of the leaves, both front and back. The stem is attached by a gold hinge to a three-pronged horn comb. Art Nouveau jewelers were particularly attracted to orchids because of their exoticism and rarity.

Exhibitions

• Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1979-1980.
• Vive la France! French Treasures from the Middle Ages to Monet. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1999-2000.

Provenance World's Fair, St. Louis, Missouri, 1904 [no. 1]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1904, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1904