Comb top

8th–9th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 207
From the late eighth to the tenth century, it was fashionable for Chinese women to wear decorated combs as part of their coiffure. Comb tops were made of such precious materials as gold, silver, jade, and mother-of- pearl and were ornamented with popular decorative motifs.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 唐 螺鈿梳背
  • Title: Comb top
  • Period: Tang dynasty (618–907)
  • Date: 8th–9th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Mother-of-pearl
  • Dimensions: L. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Jennifer Fill and Christina Weber Gifts, 1990
  • Object Number: 1990.128
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.