Comb!

I do find some random things!
What do you think this is made of?Its quite fragile. Looks a bit like cat gut!
Any thoughts please.
Thankyou

 

Are there decorations on either corner of the top?

I could be saying the entirely wrong thing, but maybe a gentle touch of oil will improve the condition and look?
Let's wait what the other say.

 

There aren't any decorations. I thought it may be antler but it’s not quite ringing that bell for me. Not entirely sure why I picked it up but was intrigued as it looks old and odd ( and it was pennies!)

 

Possibly horn. Many horns have a hair-like structure, that can split into those 'strands' when really dry.

 

I’ll oil it when I get home.

 

I think battered horn too, but the out of shape right end makes me think it has been soaked in boiling water for a while (experiment??) To get this deformation

 

I can tell you that for a celluloid comb, the water doesn't need to be "boiling" and the "a while" can be fairly brief.

I mean. Or so I may have once been told.

 

For celluloid, sure, it doesn't take long!
Boiling water is the way to curve and work horn sheets