Antique Nursery Items Appraisal

Vintage Celluloid or Early Plastic Baby Comb and Brush Grooming Set

This is a two-piece vintage baby grooming set consisting of a small hairbrush and a dual-toothed comb, presented in their original partitioned cream-colored cardboard box. The items appear to be manufactured from an early synthetic polymer, likely celluloid or an early plastic such as Bakelite or Catalin, indicated by the uniform creamy yellow-beige hue and the smoothed, molded edges. The brush features very soft, natural-colored bristles (possibly goat hair or soft hog bristle) densely packed into an oval head with a short, ergonomic handle specifically scaled for an infant's head. The comb is rectangular with two distinct sections: one side with wide-spaced teeth for detangling and the other with finer, closely spaced teeth. The set reflects mid-20th-century design, likely dating from the 1940s to the 1960s. Condition-wise, the pieces show light surface grime and minor yellowing consistent with age (oxidation), while the bristles of the brush show slight splaying. The box exhibits some wear including small tears at the corners and general discoloration, but remains structurally intact. There are no visible maker's marks or stamps in the current view, suggesting it may have been a mass-produced but high-quality nursery staple of its era.