Antique Birmingham Silver and Lead Crystal Hair Receiver Hallmarked 1923

1923 Birmingham Hallmarked silver lid hair receiver with lead crystal base. I am unsure of the maker, the mark appears to say V N Ltd or M N Ltd?

The hair receiver was a common fixture on the dressing tables of women from Victorian times to the early decades of the 20th century. Its purpose was to save hair culled from the hairbrush and comb, which were used vigorously on a daily basis. The hair could then be stuffed into pincushions or pillows. Since hair was not washed as often as it is today, oils were frequently used to add scent and shine to hair. The residual oil made the hair an ideal stuffing for pincushions because it lubricated the pins, making it easier for them to pierce material. Small pillows could be stuffed with hair, which was less prickly than pinfeathers. But possibly most important, hair receivers made the creation of ratts possible. A ratt (sometimes spelled rat) is a small ball of hair that was inserted into a hairstyle to add volume and fullness.

The lid is dented in places around the edges and the base of the glass has scratches from being sat on various surfaces. Otherwise in good condition

Measures 7cms high and the base is 6.5cms diameter

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