There are objects we touch every day that somehow escape our attention. The comb is one of them. It lives in purses, bathroom counters and dressing tables. It’s both practical and ornamental. Functional and, occasionally, decorative.
We’ve been spiraling over combs lately. Lace combs, tortoiseshell curves, sculptural acetate. Somewhere between brushing out knots and curating our eBay watchlist, we realized: the comb deserves its own post.
So here it is. Part history lesson, part shopping guide, part quiet admiration for an object that’s lasted centuries without needing to shout.
Important: if you’re visiting Japan and are into this topic, there’s an entire museum in Tokyo dedicated to hair accessories. Yes, really.
From the Kushi-Kanzashi Museum
(1) Our vision
An edit of our favorite historical and museum-worthy combs. Pieces that blur the line between design object and wearable sculpture.
Combs have been made from wood, shell, bone, ivory, and even gold. Some have lived in vanities; others in tombs (because clearly, even in the afterlife, you need a good comb). Their silhouettes say so much about time, place, and culture.
Images from: The Met’s decorative arts collection, Salvador Dalí’s surrealist comb sketches, and antique French wedding combs.
(2) High-End (But Worth It)
For those looking to splurge a little: these are the combs you might actually hesitate to use because they’re just that beautiful. We’re not saying these are essential, but if your bathroom shelf has been craving a little elegance, this is your sign.
Some feel like heirlooms in the making. Others are giving "I could be in a museum but I chose your vanity instead." Either way, they turn the small act of brushing your hair into something intentional. And if you’re wearing one as a hair accessory? I promise compliments will follow. These pieces don’t just sit pretty, they start conversations.
(3) The Secondhand Spiral
This is where the real thrill begins. Searching "vintage hair comb" on eBay is a dangerous game. There’s a satisfaction in finding the one with the perfect curve or ornament that is hard to explain.
Sure, there’s a bit of visual noise to wade through at first. But once the algorithm starts learning your taste? It’s all mother-of-pearl inlays, hand-carved beauties, lace mantilla combs from Spain, and tortoiseshell curves worthy of a museum, or at the very least, a Sofia Coppola close-up.
We’ll include a few of our favorite finds below (act fast, these listings vanish), but fair warning: once you start the hunt, there’s no going back.
On the gifting front, one current favorite comb heaven: Officine Universelle Buly. Their combs are miniature works of art, made from acetate and bronze, handcrafted in Switzerland, and can be engraved with a name or message for that extra thoughtful touch. We’ve gifted them before and can confirm: they’re a hit. Functional, beautiful, and just indulgent enough.
Combs have been with us for centuries: quietly reliable, often beautiful, and sometimes even heirlooms. In some cultures, gifting a comb is a gesture of care, a symbol of lasting friendship. So think of this post as just that: a small offering, a tribute to an object that rarely asks for attention, and a gentle nudge to notice (and appreciate) the everyday things that carry history in their teeth.
We didn’t expect to spiral this deep on combs, but here we are. And honestly, not mad about it. Thinking of making this a series: objects that deserve a little more admiration. Let us know if you’d read it.
Also, should we open up the chat to share recommendations? We’ve got plenty, and we know some of you do too.
