2022/4

This horse mane comb made of ox horn was donated by the Worshipful Company of Horners. This type of comb was used to comb out tangles and remove debris from the hair of horses manes and tails, before the invention of electric hair clippers and plastic combs. Horn is a natural plastic and is antistatic. The horn is dark brown in colour, with two missing teeth, and one broken tooth. The comb has one attachment hole. Possibly inscribed 'AEEF' on the reverse.

mane comb: horn

Museum Object Entry Form – Four horn horse hair combs. Used on manes. Holes on comb for leather thong either for suspension or for tying to the hand. Made from ox horn. The colour variation is due to each horn being individual. They came from a collection by Jen Cruse, only part of her collection. They came from the Worshipful Company of Horners., Email from donor to MERL, 5 May 2021 – ‘… The combs were part of a collection that Jen Cruse had which were acquired by the Worshipful Company of Horners.’

1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31

Nineteenth century