Swan shaped ear trumpet

Metal swan shaped ear trumpet with ivory earpiece, similar in style to the 'London dome' design, 1801-1900.

Ear trumpets or hearing trumpets were conical shape devices connected to a funnel and an earpiece, which intended to help people experiencing hearing loss hear better. The ear trumpet worked by collecting sounds and directing them directly into the ear canal. Most of ear trumpets, like this one, were intended for people to carry them around and used when needed.

The style of this trumpet corresponds to ‘London Dome’, which is said to be due to its similarity to the shape of the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It was a smaller, more portable variation from traditional trumpets, which had a longer stem . This one is popularly known as a swan trumpet due to the shape of its ‘neck’, which resembles that of a swan.