Comb

Art Historical Context

This delicate tortoiseshell, crafted in Argentina between 1830 and 1849, a glimpse into the refined personal adornments of the early 19th century Fashioned from the translucent of the hawksbill sea turtle—a prized material for its warm, amber-like glow and carveability—this comb exemplifies the luxury accessories housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Its motifs, delicately incised into the surface, evoke the natural beauty of the Argentine pampas, blending functionality subtle artistry. In mid19th-century Argentina, the nation's post-independence fervor and vibrant gau...