Most likely shoulder bone of large mammal; ROM record notes it is antler

Border cut out on reverse. LD suggests border cut out will give some structural stability to the piece and prevent it from cracking as it ages. In making the teeth, the artist started with the drill holes, they cut very fine pieces and took them out. Considerable space between the teeth - pieces of bone had been removed from the comb. This would have given the bone some additional flexibility when it was being used.

Front side: 3 triangles house the figure in the middle, a single figure in the middle with a flag, and a distinct paddle. A directional arrow from right to left indicates direction as does the flag. Around the image are chevrons incised with diagonal lines.

Reverse: has chevrons. LD suggests that the lines would make the bone more pliable, handle the stress of being used better.

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904), p 38, Item 182. “Long Indian Bone Comb."

Unknown artist, bone c0mb. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.48. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1150.