Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
comb
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
ivory comb Carved walrus-bone comb from northern Russia, 17th century. In the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 7 X 13 cm.
Read Next
Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day (June 2, 1953) holding the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross in her right hand the Orb in her left, in an embroidered and beaded dress by Norman Hartnell, a crimson velvet mantle edged with ermine fur, with the Coronation ring, the Coronation necklace, and the Imperial State Crown. The backdrop depicts the interior of Westminster Abbey; photograph by Cecil Beaton. (British royals)
5 Fascinating British Coronation Objects
Discover
Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden
7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World
Facsimile of one of William Henry Ireland's forgeries, a primitive self-portrait of William Shakespeare(tinted engraving). Published for Samuel Ireland, Norfolk Street, Strand, December 1, 1795. (W.H. Ireland, forgery)
The Time a Law Clerk Successfully Forged a New Shakespeare Play to Impress His Dad
Srinivasa Ramanujan, Indian mathematician and autodidact.
6 Interesting Facts about Srinivasa Ramanujan
Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro
Why Is Christmas in December?
Panama Canal infographic
Timeline and Map of the Panama Canal
Town of Sisimiut located on the coast of the Davis Strait on Kangerluarsunnguaq Bay, Greenland
The Largest Islands in the World
Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics
10 Best Hockey Players of All Time
ivory comb
ivory comb Ivory comb depicting lovers in a garden, French, second quarter of the 14th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

comb

implement and ornament
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/art/comb-ornament
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

comb, a toothed implement used for cleaning and arranging the hair and also for holding it in place after it has been arranged. The word is also applied, from resemblance in form or in use, to various appliances employed for dressing wool and other fibrous substances, to the indented fleshy crest of a rooster, and to the ridged series of cells of wax filled with honey in a beehive.

Carved walrus-bone comb from northern Russia, 17th century. In the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 7 X 13 cm.
Carved walrus-bone comb from northern Russia, 17th century. In the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 7 X 13 cm.

Hair combs are of great antiquity, and specimens made of wood, bone, and horn have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Among the Greeks and Romans they were made of boxwood and in Egypt also of ivory. For modern combs the same materials are used, as well as tortoiseshell, metal, and, most often, synthetic plastic materials.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.