Historical products carved from bone for LARP, Viking and Medieval Re-enactment

Historical utensils made from bone, horn and antler

The history of humanity is inextricably linked to the working of bone, horn and antler. With a density of 2.0 and a Mohs hardness of 2, bone possesses excellent properties for the manufacture of everyday objects. In ancient times, the metatarsal bone of cattle was the preferred choice, as its thick walls and flat outer shape made carving and turning easier. In contrast, horn consists of keratin and can be bent under heat, whilst antler – effectively the ‘plastic of antiquity’ – possesses a particularly high strength, making it ideal for the fine teeth of combs and sturdy tools. From Roman times right through to the late Middle Ages, horn, bone and antler were indispensable materials for the manufacture of everyday objects.

Bone finds from antiquity to the Middle Ages

The range of our historical replicas is based on a wide variety of archaeological finds. From Roman game pieces and dice to Viking-era pendants, a broad spectrum is covered. Roman and Germanic finds attest to the existence of bone combs, brooches (fibulae) and styluses for writing on wax tablets. Needle cases and spindle whorls made of bone also reflect the functional use of these materials in the daily life of those eras. Particularly in the Viking Age, bone and antler were used not only for jewellery but also for practical ice skates to cross frozen waterways.

Bone products in the late Middle Ages

In the late Middle Ages, bone was a widespread and versatile raw material, as it was cheap and readily available as a by-product of increased meat processing. Due to its relatively low hardness, it was easy to work with and yet could be used for many everyday objects. In the late Middle Ages, for example, bones were used to make needles, awls, combs, buttons and other small utilitarian items. Bone was also used in liturgy, that is, for religious objects. Furthermore, it was used for dice, game pieces and simple musical instruments such as flutes. In the field of equipment, bone was frequently used for knife handles or decorations, whilst antler was often preferred for more durable applications.

Craft traditions in wool processing

Specialised tools for historical textile arts include bone looms for tablet weaving and needle-binding needles. The use of bone tubes as knife handles or the manufacture of flutes (tibia) from the shinbones of sheep and goats illustrates the enormous versatility of these natural materials. Whilst three-layered combs were often made from antler from Roman antiquity to the early Middle Ages, bone came to the fore in the later Middle Ages for simple combs and those with riveted handle plates. These chronological differences can still be decisive today for a technically accurate historical representation of the respective era

Authentic replicas for historical re-enactment

With our historical items made from bone and horn, the focus is on a representation that is as true to detail as possible, in order to deliver results that meet the historical standards of re-enactment. Whether flat bone spoons for porridge or artistically decorated game pieces, our customers accept them as authentic only if the choice of materials and workmanship largely correspond to the historical original.For DIY projects, we also offer bone and horn sheets, which allow for the individual creation of historical artefacts. Materials such as horn, bone and antler thus provide the ideal raw materials for an authentic representation, be it the era of the Romans and Germanic tribes, the Viking Age or the Middle Ages.