Antique Bone Lice Nit Comb and Brush 18th Century, Rare and Unusual Collectible For Sale

This antique bone comb and wood brush are unique collectibles from the 18th to early 19th century. The craftsmanship of the handmade pieces is evident in their intricate designs. The comb made from bone with its tight teeth was designed for eliminating lice and nits from the hair. The comb has lost many teeth, and the brush has no bristles. The origin of these items is unknown, although acquired at a Pennsylvania sale. They are perfect additions to any collection of combs, brushes, or vanity items. The attention to detail and beautiful design of these pieces make them true works of art. Please view pictures closely for size and condition.
More on the history of bone combs…

What is a lice comb? It is a grooming tool with many tines placed tightly together which allowed the removal of small nits and eggs from the hair. Earlier combs are made of bone, while later ones are made of plastic. The shape and fine tines are a functional necessity and remain unchanged over time (Bagley 2016:47).

With our modern eyes, it would be easy to see lice combs as evidence of filthy living conditions. However, without modern plumbing and easy access to running water, people inthe past did not have the infrastructure to deal with eradicating lice entirely, regardless of their personal hygiene habits. Instead they were left treating the symptoms of constant cycles of lice infestations.

Our everyday struggle to control lice may be a thing of the past, but it is forever preserved within the English language in the form of many common words and sayings. To go through something “with a fine toothcomb” is a direct reference to lice combs, whose many tines were so effective at finding small eggs. We still use “lousy” as an adjective for something that is gross or of poor quality. And of course a “nitpicker” is someone who finds fault with everything, whose origin point is clearly with the type of person George Washington warned us against who would impolitely “kill vermin in the sight of others.”