Chinese Export Sterling Silver Hair Comb (Peck-Guai Pattern Variant)
Jewelry / Vanity Set Accessory (Hair Comb) · Unknown Chinese artisan/retailer workshop. Often attributed to makers like Wang Hing, Zee Wo, or Luen Wo, but the specific 'Wen' or 'Wen Ji' mark suggests a smaller specialized workshop for toiletry accessories.
Pattern: Traditional Chinese Toiletry - Straight Tooth Pattern. Late Qing Dynasty to early Republic style.
Type
Jewelry / Vanity Set Accessory (Hair Comb)
Maker
Unknown Chinese artisan/retailer workshop. Often attributed to makers like Wang Hing, Zee Wo, or Luen Wo, but the specific 'Wen' or 'Wen Ji' mark suggests a smaller specialized workshop for toiletry accessories.
Material
High-grade silver, likely 90% to 92.5% (Sterling) purity common in Chinese Export Silver of this era. Acid testing is required to confirm standard as Export Silver varied between 85% and 95%.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 3.5-4 inches. Estimated height: 1.5-2 inches. Estimated weight: 25-35 grams (0.8-1.1 troy oz).
Description
This is a refined example of Chinese Export Silver vanity-ware. Unlike the more common repoussé pieces featuring dragons or blossoms, this comb celebrates the 'Liaoning' or minimalist aesthetic. The singular 'Wen' mark is a hallmark of quality, indicating the item was crafted from high-grade solid silver rather than plated metal. Each tooth has been individually set, showing the meticulous labor required for high-end personal grooming tools of the turn of the century.
Key Features
Hand-soldered individual teeth; authentic Chinese 'Wen' purity mark; minimalist undecorated headbar; distinct tapering of the outer tines.
Material & Composition
High-grade silver, likely 90% to 92.5% (Sterling) purity common in Chinese Export Silver of this era. Acid testing is required to confirm standard as Export Silver varied between 85% and 95%.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish on the headbar; minimalist aesthetic. Features a hand-struck Chinese character mark in a square cartouche. The teeth are hand-drawn and individual silver wires.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Single Chinese ideogram in a square frame. The character appears to be '紋' (Wen), which denotes 'Pure' or 'Fine' (as in 'Wen Yin' - fine silver). This served as both a purity guarantee and a workshop identifier in the Chinese tradition.
Construction Details
Hand-constructed. The top bar is a folded silver sheet or solid bar, with individual silver wire teeth soldered into the base. Evidence of hand-filing is visible on the tooth tips and side edges.
Functional Features
Tapered end teeth for comfortable insertion; fine-gauge teeth designed for securing long hair up-dos. Rigid headbar provides structural stability.
Handle & Grip Details
Flat rectangular silver headbar serves as the grip for insertion. The surface is smooth to prevent snagging of the hair.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits high-quality soldering at the tooth joins. The depth and clarity of the struck hallmark indicate the use of a high-quality steel die on soft, high-purity silver.
Authentication Indicators
The 'Wen' (紋) mark is consistent with period Chinese silver marking practices. Wear patterns on the teeth suggest genuine long-term use. Hand-filing marks on the interior of the side tines are indicative of period hand-tooling rather than modern casting.
Origin & Manufacturing
China, likely Canton (Guangzhou) or Shanghai. Manufactured using traditional silversmithing techniques common in the specialized 'Toiletry' guilds of the era.
Era & Period
Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic Period (c. 1890-1920). Reflects a transitional style between traditional Chinese utility and Export Market simplicity.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1915. Dating is based on the single-character hallmark style and the move toward more streamlined, less ornate Export styles.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Export' era where Chinese silversmiths combined traditional purity standards with European-influenced functional forms, marking a peak in global silver trade.
Condition Notes
Overall Very Good condition. Minor surface scratches and light tarnish compatible with age. Teeth show slight misalignment from use but no evidence of snapping or crude resoldering.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD. Value is driven by the purity mark and the growing market for Chinese Export vanity items. Monograms or heavy damage would decrease value.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a soft cotton cloth and a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid submersion in liquid dips as they can weaken old solder joints. Store in a tarnish-resistant flannel pouch.
Similar Pieces
Japanese Meiji-era silver combs (often more floral); Edwardian sterling combs (usually featuring hallmarks from London or Birmingham); modern silver-plated reproductions (which lack the 'Wen' mark and feel lighter/tinny).
Interesting Facts
In Chinese culture, silver combs were often part of a bride's dowry. While most Export pieces were made for Western ladies to wear at balls, similar minimalist combs remained popular within the domestic Chinese market for daily use.
Notes
Silver hair comb likely Chinese in origin