Medieval combs
- Item out of stock
Combs in the Middle Ages: An everyday object steeped in history
Combs are among the oldest known grooming tools known to humankind. The oldest archaeologically attested hair comb comes from ancient Persia and is dated to around 5,000 BC — combs have therefore been with humanity since the Neolithic period. In the Middle Ages, too, a comb was far more than a household item: it stood at the intersection of hygiene, social status and craftsmanship.
Contrary to the persistent cliché of the ‘dark, dirty Middle Ages’, personal hygiene was highly valued by the people of that era. Well-groomed hair and a neatly styled beard signalled prosperity and social recognition — whether among farmers, merchants or at court. This is evidenced not only by combs, but also by hygiene tools such as ear spoons and tweezers, which regularly turn up in excavations.
Important sites for medieval combs include Haithabu (Schleswig), Gotland, Anglo-Saxon settlements in England and Slavic graves in Eastern Central Europe. These finds form the basis for today’s replicas — and demonstrate just how widespread the comb was across all social classes.
Materials compared: wood, bone, antler, horn and bronze
What exactly is a bone comb? The term refers to a comb made from animal material — that is, from bone, antler or ivory, not just bone in the strictest sense. What is a bone comb? Strictly speaking, a comb made from animal bone, often from cattle or horses, with a characteristically smooth surface.
| Material | Suitability | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Bone / Ivory | Historical | Smooth surface, suitable for engraving; often multi-layered as a three-layer comb joined with bronze rivets; widely used by Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Slavs |
| Wood | Historical | Readily available, easy to carve; boxwood and spruce documented; inexpensive to produce, hence an everyday item; replicas based on specific museum finds |
| Horn | Historical | Must be heated and shaped; supple, smooth surface; more labour-intensive to produce than wood; gentle on the hair |
| Bronze | Historical | Cast, more of a status symbol or decorative accessory; worn as a pendant on traditional costume or a belt; attested from the Viking and Migration periods |
| Bone + leather | LARP | Bone comb with leather sheath — protects the teeth, ideal for re-enactment and transport; practical for everyday use |
Periods and types: From the Early Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages
Simple, one-piece bone or wooden combs with hardly any decoration. The wooden comb, a replica of a 6th–7th-century model, is based on finds such as the exhibit at the British Museum in London. Functional and simple — ideal for Germanic and early medieval re-enactments.
Viking & High Middle Ages
Three-layer combs made of bone with geometric decorations and iron rivets dominate. Replicas based on finds from Gotland (11th–12th centuries) and Danish excavations (11th–14th centuries) are included in the range. Bronze comb pendants, as part of women’s traditional dress, complete the picture.
Late Middle Ages
Elaborate wooden combs, some double-sided with fine and coarse teeth — a replica based on 14th-century Danish models is available in the range. For the wealthier classes, ivory work was added. The medieval comb with a bronze lovers’ motif dates from 1325 and is more of a piece of jewellery than a grooming tool.
Replicas for re-enactment and LARP: What to look out for
You can recognise a good replica by the fact that it refers to a specific archaeological find. Product names such as ‘Gotland replica, 11th–12th century’ or ‘based on a find from Denmark, 14th century’ are a sign that historical sources were taken into account during development — not just a rough mix of styles. Find sites such as Gotland, Haithabu, Danish excavations or the British Museum in London are reliable points of reference.
As for the material: genuine bone has a characteristic, slightly irregular texture and is handmade — this is visible and can be felt. Industrially manufactured versions made from bone are more uniform and usually cheaper. Both have their place: those seeking a detailed representation will opt for the handmade piece; for LARP and first steps in reenactment, the cheaper version is perfectly adequate.
Important: Medieval combs are actually usable — they are not purely decorative, but work well for hair and beards. A leather sheath protects the teeth during transport and is part of an authentic camp setup. Combined with hygiene kits, hairpins and beard pins, as well as hair ornaments and beard beads, this creates a complete grooming set for the medieval camp.
The right range: combs by price range and requirements
The Germanic bone beard comb (~€11) and simple bone combs (~€12–13) are ideal for those new to re-enactment or LARP. Handcrafted Viking bone combs in this price range are actually usable and stylistically accurate for the 9th–11th centuries.
Wooden comb replicas based on specific archaeological finds (Gotland, 11th–12th century, ~€16) and medieval bone combs in 10 cm and 15 cm sizes (~€15–17) for a more nuanced portrayal. The Viking bronze comb pendant (~€15) also falls into this category — as a decorative accessory rather than a grooming tool.
Detailed wooden comb replicas based on 14th-century Danish models (~€20), the medieval comb with a couple in bronze (~€18, dated 1325) and the bone comb with leather sheath (~€25) for sophisticated historical re-enactments. The comb with a leather sheath is particularly recommended for encampment re-enactments where equipment is transported and displayed.
Viking combs: grooming as part of the culture
The Vikings are well documented archaeologically for their attention to personal hygiene — combs were found in almost every Viking grave, which highlights their significance. Characteristic of the Viking Age is the three-layer bone comb: several layers of bone form a reinforced spine, held together with iron or bronze rivets. This design was robust, easy to decorate and offered a secure grip.
Finds from Haithabu, Vendel and Irish Viking settlements date the main period of use to the 9th–11th centuries. Combs were worn on the belt — both as a practical tool and as a visible status symbol. In addition to hair combs, smaller, fine-toothed beard combs are also attested: beard care was no trivial matter for Viking men.
Bronze combs were cast and served less for grooming than for representation. The Viking beard and hair ornaments from the range complement this tradition — bronze pendants, beard beads and comb pendants belong together.
The medieval comb as part of your overall look
A comb alone does not make a complete grooming set. In the Viking Age and the early Middle Ages, grooming utensils were often worn together on a belt — ear spoons, tweezers, knives and combs formed a set that was both functional and representative. Anyone wishing to complete their Viking or Germanic attire will find all the components for a harmonious grooming set in our range.
The bronze Viking comb pendant can be attached directly to traditional costume or a Viking belt, making it both a piece of jewellery and a tool. For High and Late Medieval re-enactments, the wooden comb replicas are more suitable — here, the comb is typically stowed in a pocket or belt pouch rather than worn openly.
To complement the comb, it’s worth taking a look at hairpins and hair needles for elaborate hairstyles, as well as medieval hair ornaments and beard beads — together, these make up a detailed grooming accessory set that immediately catches the eye at markets and reenactments.
Whether you’re planning your first medieval market or completing a historically accurate re-enactment outfit — with the right comb on your belt, a crucial piece of everyday culture is missing. Browse through the range and find the right replica for your era and your requirements.
Frequently asked questions
A bone comb is a comb made from animal material — more specifically from bone, antler or ivory. The term 'Bein' is the older German word for bone and refers not only to bone in the strictest sense, but to all hard animal materials of this kind. Bone combs were widespread in the Early Middle Ages and the Viking Age and are attested by numerous archaeological finds.
Essentially, both terms refer to the same thing: a comb made from hard animal material. ‘Bone comb’ is the more modern, immediately understandable term, whilst ‘bone comb’ is the historically correct designation. In specialist literature, ‘bone comb’ is used more frequently, as it also includes antler and ivory — materials which, strictly speaking, are not ‘bone’, but traditionally belong to the same category of craftsmanship.
Yes, combs were a widespread everyday object in the Middle Ages, used across all social classes. Archaeological finds from Haithabu, Gotland, and Anglo-Saxon and Slavic settlements attest to their prevalence from the 6th to the 15th century. Hygiene and a well-groomed appearance were regarded in the Middle Ages as signs of prosperity and social status — combs were therefore anything but luxury goods.
A three-layer comb is a specific design of the medieval bone comb, in which several layers of bone form a reinforced spine held together with iron or bronze rivets. This construction made the comb more stable and durable. Three-layer combs are typical of the Viking and early medieval periods and originate from finds dating from the 9th to the 12th centuries.
That depends on the intended use. Bone and antler are historically best documented and offer an authentic look with a characteristic texture — ideal for re-enactments. Wooden combs are lighter, cheaper and well documented for the High and Late Middle Ages. Horn combs have a smooth surface and are particularly gentle on the hair. For LARP and first attempts at historical re-enactment, industrially manufactured bone combs are perfectly adequate.