Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c21.24

c21.24

The combs are made of buffalo horn cut transversely, the tops of the horns being used for tool- and knife-handles and the like. A flat piece of horn is sawn off and cut roughly into the shape of the comb, and then made thinner with adze and rasp, and the shaping then finished with a knife. Next the guide lines for the inner ends of the teeth and for the patterns are scored with the marking awl, which is a small bone tool with a sharp point inserted near one end. The comb is now set in the vice, which is held conveniently against a stone by pressure of the worker's leg (Pl. V., 9).