Comb - Galalite
06
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Selected by Michel Karis
Art historian with extensive experience working at various auction houses in antiques.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Art Nouveau Galalite hair comb from France, dating to circa 1900–1910, measuring 11 cm wide, 10 cm deep and 2.5 cm high, signed on one side by Auguste Bonaz and in very good condition with light signs of wear for age.
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Description from the seller
Museum-grade and rare galalite comb, mainly used as a hairpin fastener, produced by Auguste Bonaz.
The comb consists of two parts: the upper part is decorated with floral motifs with a tortoiseshell color-effect. The pierced work is spectacular, handmade entirely over 100 years ago.
The lower part houses the teeth of the comb.
Signed on one side by Auguste Bonaz.
In excellent condition, with no damage or cracks, truly like new in its pristine preservation.
Galalite, a word derived from the Greek gala (milk) and lithos (stone), is the trade name of one of the earliest plastics.
It was invented in 1897 and patented in 1899 by Friedrich Adolph Spitteler (1846-1940) and Wilhelm Krische. It is produced from casein, a milk protein. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a French chemist, J.C. Trillat, discovered a method to insolubilize casein by immersion in formaldehyde.
This material revolutionized the button industry with its ability to create structural effects and imitate all kinds of materials: horn, tortoiseshell, ivory, wood.
Dimensions are: width 11 cm, depth 10 cm, and height 2.5 cm.
Careful worldwide shipping with courier services UPS and DHL.
Museum-grade and rare galalite comb, mainly used as a hairpin fastener, produced by Auguste Bonaz.
The comb consists of two parts: the upper part is decorated with floral motifs with a tortoiseshell color-effect. The pierced work is spectacular, handmade entirely over 100 years ago.
The lower part houses the teeth of the comb.
Signed on one side by Auguste Bonaz.
In excellent condition, with no damage or cracks, truly like new in its pristine preservation.
Galalite, a word derived from the Greek gala (milk) and lithos (stone), is the trade name of one of the earliest plastics.
It was invented in 1897 and patented in 1899 by Friedrich Adolph Spitteler (1846-1940) and Wilhelm Krische. It is produced from casein, a milk protein. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a French chemist, J.C. Trillat, discovered a method to insolubilize casein by immersion in formaldehyde.
This material revolutionized the button industry with its ability to create structural effects and imitate all kinds of materials: horn, tortoiseshell, ivory, wood.
Dimensions are: width 11 cm, depth 10 cm, and height 2.5 cm.
Careful worldwide shipping with courier services UPS and DHL.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Country of origin
France
Material
Galalite
Style
Art Nouveau
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Height
2.5 cm
Width
11 cm
Depth
10 cm
Estimated period
1900-1910
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