Historical information

Antique celluloid "French Ivory" bedroom mirror and brush sets became popular mass-market luxury items in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Celluloid, invented in the 1860s, was the world's first successful thermoplastic. Manufacturers marketed it as "French Ivory," "Ivorine," or "Ivory Pyralin" to mimic genuine elephant ivory at an affordable price point. While lavish dressing table or "toilet sets" emerged during the Victorian period, production peaked between the 1900s and the 1930s. These items belonged to Edna Parker's mother Mrs Beatrice Rouget in the early 1900's.

Physical description

Seven antique pieces of an art deco bedroom vanity set made from celluloid or Ivory Celluloid to appear ivory like. The pieces include: 1. A short shoehorn with a hole at the end to hang it. 2. A narrow clothes brush with natural bristles. 3. Two hair combs, one with a curved handle the other a celluloid straight dual toothed comb, has a manufacturing stamp on the back. 4. Two hand mirrors, one oval, the other round - both have bevelled edges. 5 . A flat tray with curved shaped raised edging to hold the pieces.

Inscriptions & markings

The celluloid dual toothed straight comb has: 'Made in England' There is an 'elephant' outline between the words 'Made in' and 'England'. The clothes brush has 'England' stamped on one side.