Nippon Hair Receiver Value Guide

This ornate Nippon porcelain hair receiver represents a unique Victorian vanity tradition where discarded hair was collected for sentimental 'hair art.' Produced in Japan between 1891 and 1921, these pieces are highly collectible for their delicate hand-painted floral patterns and intricate gilded accents.

What affects the value of Nippon Hair Receiver?

• The presence of the original lid significantly impacts the value, as these were often lost or broken.
• Condition of the hand-painted floral motifs and the amount of wear on the gold gilding.
• The rarity and complexity of the specific pattern and the presence of a verified Nippon maker's mark.
• Overall structural integrity, including the absence of hairline fractures or chips in the delicate porcelain.

How to Identify Nippon Hair Receiver?

• Check the base for the 'Nippon' backstamp, which was used on Japanese exports between 1891 and 1921.
• Look for a central hole in the lid, a defining feature designed for inserting hair strands from a brush.
• Examine the gilding for hand-applied texture, often featuring raised moriage or gold leaf typical of the era.
• Verify the porcelain quality, which should be translucent and fine, characteristic of early Japanese export wares.

History of Nippon Hair Receiver

Hair receivers were popular Victorian-era vanity items designed to collect strands of hair discarded during brushing. This collected hair was often used to create 'hair art' or 'hair jewelry,' particularly during the sentimental Victorian period when mourning customs and personal keepsakes were highly valued. Many hair receivers were made by companies like Nippon, a collective term for Japanese porcelain exported between 1891 and 1921.