Comb sheath

The fully preserved sheath for a single-sided comb was recovered during long-term archaeological excavations in trench VI, quarter 5, of the Podzamcze district in Szczecin. This type of casing served as a protective cover, shielding the delicate teeth of single-sided combs, which were particularly vulnerable to damage. When the sheath was in place, the comb’s teeth would slide into the space between its outer plates. The object consists of two elongated rectangular plates with straight edges, positioned parallel to each other and secured to two side plates using four rivets made from a copper alloy. The side plates partially extend into the space between the outer plates, defining the width of the comb slot, while also protruding slightly beyond the ends of the sheath. One edge of these side plates is aligned with the top edge of the sheath, while the other extends slightly beyond it. At the protruding sections, additional short fragments of secondary plates were attached, flush on one side with the main plates and on the other with the inner edges of the side plates. These determined the maximum length of combs that could be stored inside the sheath. The side plates feature circular holes for securing the comb, and their ends are decorated with four incised lines running across their entire width. The outer plates are ornamented along the edges with two rows of circular dots, each with a marked centre. After assembly, the entire sheath was polished to remove traces of production, enhancing its visual appeal. All components were made from deer antler by a skilled artisan with extensive experience and specialised tools. Sławomir Słowiński