A Brief Glance at Hair Combs in
History

The hair comb can be an item of practically,
beauty or ceremony; and throughout history it
has been all of these things. Today, we might
consider hair combs to be little more than a
practical accessory and so
we might overlook the diverse history of this
item.

As you might expect, it’s impossible to pin-
down an ‘inventor of the hair comb.’ Variations
of the comb are evident all over the world, an
early example hailing from c. 3,200 BC,
pictured right. This is an exquisite example of a
comb belonging to someone over 5,000 years
ago. The function was probably ceremonial, as
can be deemed from the intricate animal
carvings aligned in rows. In particular the
elephants and snakes allude to African
mythology, associating these beasts with the
creation of the universe. It is no wonder then
that Egyptologists have associated this find
with funerary decoration.

Ancient combs also served a practical function,
as can be seen in China. They were initially
created to rid their owner of lice, meaning they
were a necessity for both rich and poor.
Discovered combs have been carved from
wood or ivory, showing great craftsmanship
and the range of materials that could be used.
As time went on, combs became more ornate
and decorative, as can be seen in early modern
Japan. This is also an example of women taking
up the hair comb as a fashion accessory rather
than a practical item.
The comb has continued to be a pretty
decoration in modern society, although it
might be fairer to say that it has once again
become a practical item that we just use every
day, and that the ceremonial aspect of combs
is unique to the past. On the other hand,
headdresses and other ornamentations still
hold considerable cultural relevance in many
cultures today, such as modern Native
American Indians who still use them in
weddings and other ceremonies. It may be
that the comb is now only a practical
necessity, but the story of ceremonial hair
decorations is certainly far from over.


Sources
http://barbaraanneshaircombblog.com/