Bone Comb with Runic Inscription (1867,0320.12)

A bone comb case with a runic inscription found in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

An original bone comb case with a runic inscription on it which reads, in translation, “Thorfast made a good comb.” The Vikings were known for looking after their personal hygiene. Combs were not only used for combing your hair but also for removing nits and lice.

Object Type

Comb

Date

circa 900 — 1000

Ascribed Culture

Original/Reproduction

Original

Material

Collection

Viking Objects

Current Location

The British Museum, London

Keywords

bone, comb, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, personal_hygiene, runes, runic_inscription, The_British_Museum, toilet_article, Viking

Further information

You can see the original at The British Museum, London.

This object is related to Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
Find out about Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

Acknowledgements

(c) Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

References

The British Museum