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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Ivory toothpick case with inlaid lid, silver fittings, green velvet lining, mirror in lid, Engish, 1801-1850
Toothpicks are used to remove food from the teeth and this ivory case has a mirror in the lid so the user could see exactly where to place the pick. Now missing, the toothpicks themselves would have been made from bone or ivory.
Such toothpick cases became a fashion accessory from the 1700s onwards and the expensive nature of the materials reflect the wealth of the owner. Other elaborate cases would have been made from tortoiseshell, silver and gold.
Details
- Category:
- Dentistry
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A631355
- Measurements:
-
overall: 21 mm x 80 mm x 19 mm, .01kg
- type:
- toothpick case
