Monogrammed French Celluloid Hair Receiver (M monogram set 2 of 3)
Description
Early 20th-century molded celluloid hair receiver in ivory-tone finish, featuring a black Gothic-style “M” monogram and marked “France” on the underside.
Use
Hair Receiver (Dressing Table Accessory)
Made/Created
Date made
circa 1900 - circa 1915
Time Period
Victorian, Edwardian
Place
Country
France
Notes
The receiver features a smooth, rounded form with warm ivory coloration typical of aged celluloid. The lid contains a central opening for depositing collected hair. A stylized Gothic-script “M” monogram decorates the lid surface, suggesting personalization or ownership identification. The restrained design reflects early 20th-century shifts toward cleaner, more modern dressing table aesthetics.
Ethnography
Notes
Hair receivers collected loose strands removed during brushing and grooming. The saved hair was commonly reused to:
Create hair padding (“rats”) for fashionable coiffures
Support pompadour and Gibson Girl hairstyles
Produce hair jewelry or sentimental keepsakes
Such objects were standard components of personal vanity sets.
French celluloid vanity wares became widely popular between 1900 and the 1920s as industrial plastics transformed domestic goods. These objects represent a transitional moment between Victorian ornamentation and modern industrial design. The monogram reflects personal identity and ownership, reinforcing the intimate nature of dressing table objects within early 20th-century domestic life.
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Underside stamped:
“France”
Top decorated with applied black Gothic-style monogram “M.”
Materials
Material Notes
Method of Manufacture
Molded celluloid body (early thermoplastic)
Two-part construction (base and fitted lid)
Machine-polished surface finish
Applied monogram transfer or stamped decoration
Celluloid allowed manufacturers to imitate ivory at a fraction of the cost and weight.
Materials
Celluloid (imitation ivory plastic)
Color
Ivory
Condition
Overall Condition
Very Good
Date Examined
Mar 2, 2026
Notes
Even age toning to celluloid consistent with natural oxidation
Minor interior wear from use
No visible cracking or warping observed
General Notes
Note Type
Historical Note
Note
This French-made celluloid hair receiver dates to the early 20th century, when new synthetic materials began reshaping everyday domestic objects. Molded to imitate ivory, the piece reflects both technological innovation and changing aesthetic preferences moving away from heavily ornamented Victorian decoration toward simpler, modern forms. The Gothic-style “M” monogram personalizes the object, suggesting ownership and daily intimate use. Hair receivers played an important role in grooming rituals, preserving hair for reuse in elaborate hairstyles characteristic of the Edwardian period. Today, such objects provide insight into personal care practices and the early adoption of plastics within domestic material culture.
