Antler Combs

With us for treatment we have two combs dating from the 12th-14th century, one single-sided example and one double-sided example. Interestingly, both combs are composite, their teeth and plates are made of antler, but they are held together with iron rivets.

These combs were excavated on Perth High Street, along with various antler offcuts, suggesting there may once have been an active workshop on this site in Perth, making objects from antler and other animal materials, such as bone, ivory and horn.

Above: Both combs, before conservation

Since the teeth are so thin and fragile, combs recovered from archaeological contexts are rarely found complete and in good condition. When these two examples came to us, a lot of their teeth were broken off, but luckily some of them were still preserved alongside the object, which allowed us to adhere them back in place.

Above: Reattaching some of the detached teeth

More concerning was the fact that the iron rivets in both combs were actively corroding, causing significant cracks in the antler material making up the body of the combs. Since it was not be possible to remove the rivets and treat them fully without destroying the object, only the exposed ends were conserved.

However, the destructive effects of this iron corrosion can be minimised by displaying them in a case with low humidity.

Above: Both combs, after conservation