Ear scoop and toothpick; cosmetic tool

This cosmetic tool is made from cow, horse or red deer bone. It was used for cleaning ears and as a tooth pick or nail cleaner. The handle has been delicately carved into the shape of a sea horse with identical heads at either end. The body is further embellished on the centre with a ring and dot design. The handle is surmounted by a crescent extending from the head of the sea horse, which was perhaps intended for use as a tooth pick. At the opposite end, the handle is separated from the shank by three circumferential bands, each decorated with regularly spaced diagonal grooves. The round section shank tapers towards a finely carved ear scoop.