Antler comb with matching case

Combs are common finds throughout the Viking world. This example with a matching case were found in York, the former Viking capital then called Jorvik.

Both comb and case are made from pieces of antler fixed together with iron rivets. The comb is minimally decorated on both sides with simple cross-hatching at the ends. The case is decorated with irregular crosses of double lines. Below this is another pattern similar to the design on the comb, but with vertical lines instead of cross-hatching. Other combs are more elaborately decorated, with some even inlaid with copper alloy. This suggests that all ranks of society owned and used them. The simple decoration on this comb set implies that it probably belonged to someone of middle rank.

Both men and women wore their hair long in the Viking period. Combs probably acted as implements for removing lice as much as for making the hair look beautiful. Like many smaller combs, this comb and case have holes in them for hanging from a belt or brooch. Comb cases were made to protect the delicate teeth from being accidentally broken. This seems to have worked here as this comb still has all its teeth – a very rare phenomenon.