Record ID: NLM-F45BD8
Object type: COMB
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Bone or antler comb [MF]; the source record suggests this to be part of a stringed musical instrument. Database accompanying source record: 'Bone tailpiece of a stringed instrument, two rows of drilled holes and remains of a third row, six holes to each'. Suggested date: possibly Medieval, 1100-1300 Length: 95mm, Width: 30mm, Thickness: 7.7mm, Weight: 17.95gms
Created on: Tuesday 5th December 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 5th December 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-112120
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy and white metal possible comb fragment. A straight-flat-sided strip, solid at one end and apparently comprising two leaves, so perhaps folded copper alloy enclosing another material, at the other. The solid end bears white metal coating or extrusion, especially at the site of a notch at that end. Three small spurs also appear to indicate partial melting hereabouts. These might point to an identification as a small comb, with the white metal teeth melted. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1600-1800 Length: 53.0mm, Width: 9.9mm, Thickness: 3.9mm, Weight: 6.42gms
Created on: Tuesday 31st October 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 31st October 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'South Kelsey', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-FD6594
Object type: COMB
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: North Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Antler comb tooth. A single long tooth from an antler comb, tapering to a point with light beading or lateral wear apparent along its length. The tooth will have broken from a flat plate subdivided by sawing, after assembly and  - from the condition of the tooth - a period of use. Composite combs of antler and bone – the former was superior for this usage – are usually dated to the Early Medieval period, essentially because access to the woodlands where shed antler was gathered was progressively impeded by Forest Law through later medieval times. Suggested date: Early …
Created on: Wednesday 18th October 2023
Last updated: Wednesday 18th October 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'North Ewster', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: WMID-0573C4
Object type: COMB
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Staffordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete openwork comb, possibly a comb pendant of probable Medieval dating (AD 1100 to AD 1500). Probably around 50% of the openwork comb is present, most of the teeth are missing, along with the suspension hole. The comb is flat. with a post depositional bend to it. The top of the comb has a curved edge, with the remains of a suspension loop at the mid point. The back of the comb has been decorated with an openwork trellis design of repeating sub triangular and sub square holes. Beneath this are the teeth, probably originally 29 in total. Most are 1mm across and 1.5 mm thi…
Created on: Wednesday 7th June 2023
Last updated: Thursday 8th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LEIC-6F98E4
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Greater London Authority
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment  of Post-Medieval comb made from Animal Skeletal Material, dating to, c.AD 1500 - 1700. The brush appears to be rectangular in plan, not enough remains to determine the original shape, it is rectangular in section. The teeth on one side are wide set and fine on the other, one tooth remains on the wide side, it tapers to a blunted point.  Length: 39.1 mm Width: 24.8 mm Thickness: 3.4 mm Weight: 2.3 g
Created on: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Last updated: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-B28464
Object type: COMB
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete, possibly Late Saxon or medieval, copper alloy sheet comb. The broken straight upper edge has an oblique irregular break across one end, the other end is rounded before an obliquely angled side which projects slightly beyond the straight-sided lower part which flanks the row of damaged teeth at the base (a fragment of the corresponding straight vertical end also survives at the broken end. The probably sixteen sawn teeth survive either as bent stumps or are indicated by the grooves running between them onto both faces of the sheet (to a length of 5-6mm). …
Created on: Thursday 16th December 2021
Last updated: Saturday 15th July 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LEIC-705DCA
Object type: COMB
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Leicestershire
Workflow stage: Published
Early Medieval copper alloy comb, 107 mm long, 22 mm wide and 1 mm thick with a weight of 10.05g. The object is sub-rectangular in form and rectangular in cross section. It consists of a solid sub rectangular plate with a curved/bowed upper surface and rounded ends. One end is intact and has a small circular hole, 2 mm in diameter, centrally placed. The other end is damaged but appears to only be missing a small area and part of a second circular hole may be visible at the centre of the break. The object is decorated on this upper edge on both sides with a solid double incised b…
Created on: Thursday 11th July 2019
Last updated: Thursday 11th July 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sutton Cheney', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: CORN-3284F9
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper-alloy comb bar with toothed edge and incised decoration. The object is plano-convex in plan, 64.5 mm in length, 9.5 mm wide at the centre, 6 mm wide at the ends, 3 mm in thickness and 10.90 g in weight. It is also plano-convex in section, one face is flat and plain, the other is convex and decorated; a single incised line, parallel to the linear axis, which is crossed at right angles by two incised lines, 4.5 mm apart, near the centre of the bar. There is another incised line 1.5 mm from the narrow end of the bar; there is no equivalent at the opposite end where around 1…
Created on: Tuesday 12th February 2019
Last updated: Monday 4th March 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-186E83
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy comb fragment, as kindly identified by the finder. One end of a straight-backed folding comb [of thickness 1mm] and its rectangular sheet metal case [of thickness 0.6mm], with a pin at one end permitting it to be opened out and the comb used with the case as handle. The teeth [lost] were spaced at 6 per cm. The outside of the case bears a dense field of stamped spiral decoration. Suggested date: Post-Medieval to Modern, 1875-1925 Length: 43.3mm, Height: 17.1mm, Thickness (overall): 3.1mm, Weight: 8.27gms
Created on: Wednesday 30th January 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 30th January 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Binbrook', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: WAW-10781B
Object type: COMB
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Warwickshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon c. 5th to 12th century) bone comb fragment: The portion of the comb which remains is one side edge and a short portion of the teeth element of a comb. The side edge of the comb is sub-rectangular with slightly tapering outer corners, the tapering occurs in plan and in depth towards the upper edge. Protruding and integral to the interior of the side is the body of the comb. The body has traces of teeth on the upper and lower edge, all but one of the teeth are broken. The teeth on the upper edge have a tooth gauge of 5 per cm, and the teeth on the lower ed…
Created on: Wednesday 12th December 2018
Last updated: Wednesday 19th December 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: YORYM-7E8498
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete jet or jet-like material comb of early modern date, c. 1850 - 1950. The shaft of the comb is sub-rectangular with a curved terminal to one end and a worn break to the other. The remains of a series of teeth, placed at a perpendicular angle to the shaft, can be seen to one edge. All are broken and worn either at the shaft or after a very short length. The material has a shiny, laminated patina. The comb is 59.3mm long, 15.4mm wide, 6.3mm thick and weighs 5.5g. The comb is distorted which, if made of jet, is likely due to the object having absorbed moisture leading t…
Created on: Wednesday 5th December 2018
Last updated: Wednesday 12th December 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SF-F4B784
Object type: COMB
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete handmade Early Medieval (of Scandinavian/'Viking' origin) antler comb of composite construction, dating c. 800-900 AD, corresponding to Ambrosiani's type A1 and Ashby type 5: 'combs of large size with plano-convex profiles and shallow plano-convex sections'. Only one of the two connecting plates survives, the opposing plate, internal toothplates and rivets all missing in old damage. Originally, the object would have consisted a pair of such plates (one on each side of the object), secured together by means of iron rivets (small pieces of which survive in two of the rivet…
Created on: Friday 6th July 2018
Last updated: Thursday 2nd May 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Shotley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-C28CB8
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: North Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy comb fragment. Part of one end and the central bar of a small cast comb retaining the stubs of thin [1.2mm] teeth spaced at 5 teeth per cm. The outer end of the bar is slightly expanded, and a symmetrical form is presumed. Abraded. The tooth spacing is too coarse for a nit comb, but a use in grooming a beard, moustache or even a wig may be suggested. Facial hair was fashionable in the 17th and 19th centuries, though not during the 18th. The later period was catered for by a wide range of wood and bone combs, so an earlier date is suggested here. Suggested date: Post-Medie…
Created on: Tuesday 20th February 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 20th February 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Epworth', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PUBLIC-3F0DEB
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Greater London Authority
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Post-Medieval ivory comb fragment (17th - 18th century AD). The comb is double-sided and made in one piece. The central section has slightly convex, parallel sides. The majority of the body and both end plates of the comb are missing. Only a few of the thicker teeth are intact and there are just stubs on the side where the teeth were finer. Dimensions: length: 44.66mm; width: 34.11mm; thickness: 2.91mm; weight: 3.86g. A similar comb is published in MacGregor, A., 1985. Bone Antler Ivory & Horn. The Technology of Skeletal Materials Since the Roman Period. London and Sydney: Cro…
Created on: Thursday 23rd March 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 28th March 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LON-FEBFB6
Object type: COMB
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Greater London Authority
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Roman boxwood double-sided comb dating from AD 50-410. The one-piece comb has been formed from a single piece of boxwood. The comb is a double-sided 'H' format with teeth on both sides of a central reserve. The comb is lentoid shaped in section with a set of coarse teeth on one side of the central reserve and a set of fine teeth on the other. The side with the finer spaced teeth (8 per cm) 69 teeth in total, was primarily used as a 'nit' comb whilst the other side with the broader spaced teeth (5 per cm) 43 teeth in total, was used for general grooming. The central reser…
Created on: Monday 20th March 2017
Last updated: Friday 2nd June 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-160B01
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete post-medieval double-sided simple ivory comb with teeth cut to the grain of the material. One side consists of fine teeth (11 per 1cm) and coarse (<5 per 1cm) on the other. The extant end is straight with rounded corners. Most of the fine teeth are complete and all of the coarse survive only as stumps. There is no decoration. Cf. Macgregor 1985, fig. 47 f and LON-488B86. Extant length 40.5mm. Width 47.9mm. Thickness 2.6mm. 17th - 18th century.
Created on: Friday 2nd December 2016
Last updated: Friday 2nd December 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PUBLIC-F3143B
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Greater London Authority
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A post-medieval double-sided ivory comb fragment dating AD 1600-1800. Only the extant fragment which is a 23mm length from one end of the comb is described here. It is made from a single piece and the teeth are cut at a slight angle to the grain of the material. Both sides consist of fine teeth (13 per 1cm) which are largely intact and of equal length emanating from the central reserve. There is an incised guideline carved along the base of the teeth on each side, presumably to aid manufacture. The corners are unsmoothed 90 degree angles, and the comb is flat but tapers towards the en…
Created on: Sunday 6th November 2016
Last updated: Monday 5th December 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-E90F8F
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy possible comb fragment. Cast fragment from a flat-sided object with a flat back and with angled tooth-cutting scars at a spacing of c.5 per cm which intrude onto the sides, presumably from the operation of a fine saw held at an angle to the object. Both ends broken, along with all the teeth. The evidence for the finishing of the object is identical in its character to that appearing on composite antler and bone combs, but in this case a smaller and later one-piece metal version is suspected. These were made in a variety of materials, and are variously interpreted as beard…
Created on: Tuesday 6th September 2016
Last updated: Thursday 8th September 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'near Gainsborough', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PUBLIC-2F0C65
Object type: COMB
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Greater London Authority
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Post Medieval ivory comb fragment probably dating 16th - 17th century. The comb is double-sided and made in one piece. The central section has straight, parallel sides. The surviving fragment is 43.81mm long. One one side the teeth are finer than on the other. The majority of the fine teeth are broken and missing, 8 of the wider teeth still remain complete. There is a guideline carved along the start of the wider teeth. Similar to Margeson (1993) no. 417 - 421. A similar example has been recorded on the database: LON-512C9C. Dimensions: length: 52.31mm; width: 31.22mm; thickness: 4…
Created on: Monday 23rd May 2016
Last updated: Wednesday 22nd March 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LANCUM-6C2A3E
Object type: COMB
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Cumbria
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Very small copper alloy comb fragment, possibly dating from the Roman or medieval periods. The surviving fragment is the central metal bit of a composite comb, that means that the handle would have been made from an organic material such as bone or wood whilst the central bit with spikes/teeth was made from a more durable material such as copper alloy. The handle would have been held in position with small copper alloy rivets, one of which is still in place and visible on the fragment. There is no moulded or incised decoration on the fragment, but it would have been unlikely for any d…
Created on: Thursday 7th April 2016
Last updated: Thursday 21st April 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Carlisle', grid reference and parish protected.