bone comb

bone comb

bone comb

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Introduction

Bone comb incised and beautifully decorated with three design fields. One design field shows possible Union Jack. Collected by Dr. Oronhyatekha; acquired by the ROM in 1911 from the Independent Order of Foresters.

Materials

Shoulder bone of mammal; ROM record notes it is antler

Techniques or Format

5 teeth. Lace hole possibly made with bow drill. Pilot holes drilled as guide for making teeth

Motifs and Patterns

Front: crossed hatches and lines. Also in botton of design field appears to be a flag, possibly Union Jack. Possibly Scottish variant of Union Jack. Could middle design field represent a battle.

Reverse: 3 triangles, 2 pointing to the teeth, 1 pointing to the top side of the comb. Each of the triangles is occupied by a dot. 2 diagonal lines. In middle of design field are 2 headless bodies. AC points out on war clubs that indicates someone who has been killed. 5 designs on bottom of design field. A suspicious hole possibly a lace hole to secure piece during construction. Zig zag motif on border, possibly to give piece stability.

Dimensions: 18.5 × 4 × 0 cm
Condition: Generally good condition. All teeth intact, some bone loss and disintegration on outer tooth.
Current Location: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 911.3.47
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1911
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Independent Order of Foresters
Publication History

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904), p 39, Item 183. "Indian Bone Comb, elaborately decorated on both sides."

GKS Reference Number: 1148
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, bone comb. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.47. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1148.

Approximate Place of Origin

45.8, -83.9

Source of Information about Places

Style of motifs.

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