Comb, Ecclesiastical

Comb, Ecclesiastical A comb of ivory or precious metal, with which the first tonsure was made and the hair was arranged in the sacristy, was one of the ornamenta found in ancient sacristies for the practical use of the clergy. Each cleric had his own. The comb was usually buried with the priest on his decease. St. Cuthbert's, of ivory, found in his tomb when opened, remains in the library of Durham Cathedral, and St. Loup's, of the 12th century, at Sens. The latter is jewelled and has symbolical animals. SEE IVORIES.