The p467 Stars Hairclip: A Collector’s Guide to a British Vintage Treasure
The stars hairclip catalogued as ‘p467’ in archive records is one of those quiet treasures that surfaces at car boot sales in the Home Counties and in the dusty trays of Brighton antiques arcades. Unassuming at first glance, it carries a distinct silhouette that collectors of British vintage hair accessories recognise immediately: a cluster of five-pointed stars, each with a subtle enamel fill, set against a brass-toned base. The clip measures roughly 5 cm across, making it substantial enough to anchor a side-swept wave without overpowering finer hair. What makes the p467 so intriguing is not just its celestial motif but the specific manufacturing technique used—a combination of stamped brass and cold enamel, a method that was popular in small British jewellery workshops during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
How the p467 Stars Hairclip was Made
The p467 stars hairclip exemplifies the die-stamping process that allowed British accessory makers to produce detailed shapes at a modest cost. The brass base was cut from a sheet, then pressed into a mould that created the raised star points and the recessed areas for enamel. Cold enamel—a resin-based coloured filler that hardens without firing—was applied by hand to each star cavity. Blue was the most common colour found on p467 examples, though a few surviving pieces show a pale turquoise or a warm coral pink. The clip mechanism itself is a standard French-style spring clip, made of nickel-plated steel, with a small flat pad at the back to grip the hair. Unlike modern clips that rely on a full-coverage rubber pad, the p467 uses a simple metal spring, which means the clip holds best when placed over a section of hair that is not too thick.
Identifying an Authentic p467 Stars Hairclip
Because the p467 design was never patented, a number of similar star clips appeared in the 1970s and 1980s, often made in Hong Kong or Taiwan. The genuine vintage British version has a few distinguishing features. First, the brass has a warm, slightly greenish undertone—not the bright yellow of later zinc alloys. Second, the enamel is glossy but not perfectly uniform; you can see tiny brush marks if you look closely under a magnifying glass. Third, the spring clip bears no markings—no patent numbers, no country of origin—which is typical of small-batch accessories from that era. The back of the clip is usually stamped with a small letter ‘B’ inside a circle, thought to be the mark of the Birmingham-based workshop that produced these clips for several London department stores. Examining the clip under a strong light also helps: the genuine cold enamel will show a slight ripple effect, whereas modern reproductions tend to have a perfectly flat, machine-applied finish.
Styling the p467 Stars Hairclip with a Modern Wardrobe
The celestial theme of the p467 makes it surprisingly versatile. The most straightforward way to wear it is as a side accent: gather a small section of hair just above the ear, twist it lightly, and clip the stars in place so that the points fan outward. With a plain white turtleneck or a Breton striped top, the brass and blue enamel add just the right amount of vintage character without looking costume-like. For a bolder look, pair the clip with a velvet headband in a complementary colour—deep navy or burgundy works well. If you own a p193 Velvet Crown Headband, the two pieces together create a layered effect that feels both Edwardian and 1970s. The stars clip also sits beautifully on a low chignon at the nape of the neck; push it in diagonally so that the stars peek out from the side. For those with shorter hair, the clip can be used to secure a small French twist or to hold back a fringe.
Material and Technique: Why Cold Enamel Matters
Cold enamel, sometimes called ‘liquid enamel’ or ‘resin enamel’, was a cost-effective alternative to vitreous enamel that became widespread in the 1960s. Unlike vitreous enamel, which requires kiln firing at over 800°C, cold enamel cures at room temperature. This made it accessible to smaller workshops that could not afford industrial kilns. The downside is that cold enamel is less durable—it can chip or yellow over time, especially if exposed to hairspray or direct sunlight. The p467 stars hairclip, however, often survives in good condition because the enamel was applied in thin layers and the clip was rarely worn in daily use. When you find a p467 with intact enamel, the colour retains a vivid, almost translucent quality that is absent in modern reproductions. The brass base, if left unpolished, develops a soft patina that collectors prize. If you choose to clean the brass, use a very mild soap and water, and dry immediately—never use abrasive polish, as it will remove the patina and may scratch the enamel.
Where to Find the p467 Stars Hairclip Today
Because the p467 was produced in relatively small quantities, it is not a common find on eBay or Etsy. Most examples turn up in vintage accessory lots sold at local auction houses in the UK, particularly in the Midlands and the South East. Charity shops in affluent areas also occasionally yield one, often mixed in with 1980s costume jewellery. The key is to keep an eye out for the star shape and the distinctive brass back. The p467 is sometimes misidentified as a 1990s accessory because of its whimsical motif, but the construction—especially the spring mechanism and the thin brass—points to an earlier decade. For collectors who prefer to search online, using terms like ‘vintage brass star hair clip UK’, ‘cold enamel star barrette’, or simply ‘p467 hairclip’ can bring up the occasional listing. Be prepared to pay between £15 and £30 for a piece in good condition with intact enamel; chips reduce the value significantly.
Care and Preservation of Your p467
Owning a p467 stars hairclip means caring for a piece of British decorative history. The cold enamel is sensitive to alcohol and acetone, so avoid letting the clip come into contact with nail polish remover, perfume, or styling products that contain these solvents. When not in use, store the clip in a fabric-lined box or a soft pouch—never in a plastic bag, as trapped moisture can cause the brass to spot. If the spring becomes loose, it is often possible to gently tighten the coil by inserting a small flathead screwdriver between the coils and twisting slightly. This is a delicate operation; if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, a jeweller who works with vintage pieces can handle it. The p467 is not designed for heavy daily wear, but for occasional use it will last for decades if treated with respect. One collector I know has worn her p467 to a vintage fair every year for twenty years, and the clip still holds its original spring tension.
Why the Stars Motif Endures in British Hair Accessories
The star has been a recurring motif in British hair accessories since the 1920s, when Art Deco designers favoured geometric shapes. But the p467 belongs to a later revival—the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a fascination with astrology and space exploration influenced fashion. Stars, moons, and planets appeared on everything from headscarves to earrings. The p467 fits perfectly into that moment, yet it also feels timeless because a star is a simple, universal symbol. Unlike the heart-shaped clips that were everywhere in the 1990s—such as the Store P201 Zoe Heart Barrette—the star is less gendered and more open to interpretation. That may be why the p467 has found a second life among contemporary dressers who value subtlety over loud branding. It is a piece that does not shout, but it catches the light in just the right way.
If you are building a collection of British vintage hair clips, the p467 stars hairclip is a rewarding target. It is not the rarest piece, but it is one of the most charming. The combination of brass, cold enamel, and a hand-finished quality gives it a character that mass-produced accessories cannot replicate. When you hold one in your palm, you can feel the slight weight of the metal, see the tiny brush strokes in the enamel, and imagine the workshop where it was made. That is the real magic of vintage—not just the object itself, but the story it carries. And the p467 tells a story of small British craftsmanship, of a time when a simple star could be a little piece of joy.