Hair comb by Lucien Gaillard, circa 1900. Designed as cow parsley there are two prongs or stems in blond tortoiseshell and flowers made of small baroque pearls.

Another piece in the collection, which also uses cow parsley as a decorative motif, is the two-pronged hair comb made by Lucien Gaillard. Gaillard is a particularly interesting designer, the third generation of a family of Parisian goldsmiths. Early in his career he became interested in Japanese craftsmanship and in 1900 he brought Japanese engravers, laquerists and jewellers directly from Tokyo to work for him. It was this influence that persuaded him to employ unusual materials like tortoiseshell and horn (in which the hair comb is carved).

He was a most versatile artist, manufacturing a wide range of metalwork and contributing designs to the Copenhagen porcelain factory.