The original horse comb pendant was found in a Celtic cremation grave in the Praunheim district of Frankfurt am Main, which dates back to around 100 BC and thus belongs to the La Tène period TD1. Celtic combs in the shape of stylised horses are known from various sites of the La Tène period and were probably used not for hair care but for beard care or were personal amulets.

The horse combs of the La Tène period were made of bronze and date mainly from the middle to late La Tène period between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC. The highly stylised bodies of the horses on these Celtic combs merge directly into a short comb with fine teeth. In addition to the horse comb pendant from Frankfurt, there are other typologically comparable specimens from southern Germany, Switzerland, eastern France and the Bohemian-Austrian region, most of which were recovered as individual finds from settlements or burial contexts.

Due to their size, these Celtic horse combs probably served as toiletries for hair care, personal amulets or symbolically charged status objects that reflect the outstanding importance of the horse in the social and idealistic world view of the Celts.

A 1 m long black cord is included, so that the horse comb can also be worn as a pendant around the neck or attached to clothing.

Dimensions

Area: 2.8 x 2.5 cm
Material: Bronze