Rosalie Gilbert

When you're playing pass the parcel but it's just you and you already know what the prize at the centre is!

It's. My. Ezio. Zanini. Comb! 



I'm so relieved that our postal service didn't break it! So. Relieved!

Here it is in all it's glory and I honestly can't tell you how gorgeous it is!

I can't express how I've always admired people who have a hand steady enough to do this kind of thing, but I'm grateful to have found Ezio Zanini who is taking this project on for me. This is the very first part of making the teeth. Ezio says he makes the teeth first before adding the carved decoration because if a tooth should break, then his carving isn't wasted, and that is definitley the sensible way to go.

This is one of the most stunning artifacts from the early 15th century that I have ever seen.

The photo comes from a book printed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and I've not seen a colour photo of this online nor seen it written about or mentioned in passing in the enormous amount of writings about hygiene or medieval bath and beauty blogs.

The comb is in the private collection of a lady who loaned it for the publication and it shows not only the astonishing level of boxwood carving itself, but two little sliding chambers which would have housed cosmetics, or perhaps perfume, for the lady to take with her where ever she traveled.

I, for one, think this is a genius idea! Less clutter in one's purse and a smidge of concealer for touching up foundation and a little balm for the lips. I would very much love one of these today.