Indian Parcel-Gilded Silver Perfume Comb

This fine comb of silver with parcel-gilding or part decoration using mercury-fire gilding or gold-plating most probably is from South India. It would have been used to keep an elaborate coiffure in place and as such can be considered as an item of jewellery as much as being a utilitarian piece.

It has a tapering form and is surmounted by a pair of peacocks which face one another but with a gilded screw finial between them. This unscrews (anti-clockwise) to allow the body of the comb to be filled with perfume which would be slowly released into the hair via tiny holes between the teeth of the comb.

Traditionally, peacocks are symbols of beauty and love.

Both sides of the comb are engraved with floral scrolls within a parcel-gilt border.

The comb is in excellent condition, and with ample signs of age and use.