Dorothée CHAOUI-DERIEUX, Jean-François GORET CRAFT USE OF RIB-BONES FROM LARGE HERBIVORES AS SEEN FROM CASKET MOUNTS AND COMBS (9th to 13th CENTURIES) IN THE ÎLE-DE-FRANCE

Abstract

Among the resources provided by animal skeletons, the ribs from large herbivores were extensively employed by crafts-persons using animal-derived hard materials to manufacture fine plates of various dimensions. Objects produced include casket mounts, handles, gaming-board fittings, and comb components. The recent discovery of two decorated casket panels at Bussy-Saint-Georges and Etampes, added to a third example from excavations in Saint-Denis in 1989, provides an opportunity to consider the layout of bone-plates on their supports. The use of rib-bones is further examined by a study of bone-plates bearing fine notches along their long edges and interpreted as comb components. Generally attributed to bone or antler composite combs, they in fact pertain to another specific comb-type made from bone and horn.

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