Museum ID: WNDRB : 2006.93
Made of two hinged pieces of iron, with narrow cylindrical blades at the end. The tongs would have been heated over a flame and then sections of hair were curled around them. Each section of hair was folded first into a length of paper, called a curl-paper, to prevent the hair from burning. Though the paper would have only offered limited protection. many women must have damaged their hair through using them because of how hot the tongs were. Hair styling has been around for thousands of years. Curling, dyeing, wigs and hair extensions were common in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. The design of hair tongs has not changed over the centuries though now we can heat curling tongs by electricity.Measurements: 300 x 190
Materials: Metal
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