As several people have suggested, the object I reported finding in Tasmania
recently is indeed a flax comb or hackle. A sketch of a very similar object
can be seen in Andrew Mure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines,
first published in 1837 and with a number of new editions later on. It's on
page 494 of the 1843 edition I consulted.
The sketch from Mure, together with an image of the Tasmanian object, can
be seen at https://db.tt/jnBs8v6z.
The sketch in Mure shows a slightly different design to the object I saw in
Tasmania but since these things were all hand-made variations are to be
expected, depending on the circumstances at the site where they were to be
used.

Ian Evans
-----------------------------
Ian Evans, OAM, PhD
The Flannel Flower Press & World of Old Houses (www.oldhouses.com.au)
PO Box 591
Mullumbimby, NSW, Australia 2482
Phone/fax 02 6684 7677 (+612 6684 7677)