Northern Europe, Viking/Norse culture, ca. 8th to 11th century CE. A small bronze comb with stylized horse head designs, turned away from another and shown in profile in a flat design with incised concentric circles; a short group of teeth, finely spaced, are in the other side. Combs were everyday objects for the Norse that were valuable and not discarded when teeth fell out; there are, for example, many repaired combs found in graves. Combs served both a practical (cleaning hair, keeping out lice) and religious (cleanliness) function. When found as grave goods, they are often placed to the lower side of the body in such a way that they suggest they were kept in a bag at the belt; most small ones like this one have been found with men. A bronze comb would have belonged to someone wealthy, as most combs were made of bone. Size: 2.15" W x 1.7" H (5.5 cm x 4.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Priavte LA County collection

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#117677

Approximately 1/3 of the teeth are missing; otherwise in beautiful condition, with smooth green patina that does not obscure any art.