Two Ivory Combs from Egypt: 5th and 6th centuries AD
Both combs are decorated in low relief. The narrower, slightly earlier, comb has the personification of Constantinople (wearing a crown representing a city wall, holding a horn of plenty) on one side, while on the other is the personification of Rome, the new and old imperial residences, centres of the eastern and western halves of the late Roman empire, seemingly an unusual theme for a personal object.
The broader comb shows a Nereid and Triton, both ancient Greek water deities. The more sketchy rendering of the figures help to date the comb to the 6th century AD. Decorative subjects drawn from classical mythology are often found on luxurious personal possessions up until the 8th century AD.
The combs are both double-sided, like many Medieval combs. The coarser teeth were for styling the hair, the finer teeth for removing nits (head lice).
