Weaving combs

Add to album

Weaving combs were used to beat the threads together during weaving. These bone examples were found at Howmae on North Ronaldsay in Orkney, at the broch at Gurness on Orkney, and at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire.

All three combs are ornamented. Despite the differences in age, their forms are fairly similar.

Weaving has a long history. Upright looms were used by about 1000 BC, although usually only loomweights survive. Objects such as combs, pin beaters and weaving swords, associated with 'beating up' the threads to make the weaving regular, are also known.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-038-812-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GAA 53
• Date: 200 BC - 400 AD
  Between 200 BC and 400 AD
  
• Material: Bone
  Bone; long-handled; handle expanding at free end; two teeth imperfect; ornamented with incised triangle and semicircle
  Long handled
  Comb, weaving
  Comb, weaving
  Comb, weaving
  
• Dimensions: 5.25" L
  
• What: Comb, weaving
  Comb, weaving
  Comb, weaving
  
• Subject:
• Who: Dr William Traill
  John Traill
  Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Evie and Rendall, Broch of Gurness
  Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Howmae
  Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Long-handled bone weaving comb, from Newstead
  Long-handled bone weaving comb ornamented with incised triangle and semicircle, from Howmae, North Ronaldsay
  Long handled weaving comb from Broch of Gurness, Orkney, 200 BC - 400 AD
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: