Name/Title
CombEntry/Object ID
1987.22.3Description
Tan comb made celluloid. A maker's mark reads "IVORY PY-RA-LIN."Context
Made of French ivory, this plastic comb was made to mimic the look and feel of natural ivory at a more economical price. Much like natural ivory—which was valued for its smooth texture and lustrous appearance—the celluloid alternative was widely used in jewelry, hair accessories, game pieces, and furniture components.
Based on the maker's mark, the comb and its matching brush were likely produced by New Jersey's Arlington Company around the time it was acquired by DuPont in 1915. By then, natural ivory became increasingly difficult for Americans to acquire due to trade disruptions caused by World War I.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1910 - 1920
