
Upper denture, hippopotamus ivory teeth, on ceramic stand
The best dentists produced fine work. These carefully carved dentures are made of hippopotamus ivory. This is denser than both elephant and walrus ivory. It is more hardwearing and appropriate for dental use. Ivory was difficult to clean. It deteriorated over time and smelt unpleasant. Only wealthy patients such as royalty and the upper classes could afford ivory dentures.
The porcelain display holders are carved with the motif of the Prince of Wales’ feathers. They are sometimes called Ruspini holders, after Bartholomew Ruspini (1728-1813). He trained as a dentist in France and moved to London in 1766. His patients included the Prince of Wales, later King George IV. The upper dentures (A71861) are pictured here with their lower denture partners (A71862).
Details
- Category:
- Dentistry
- Object Number:
- A71861
- Materials:
- ceramic (unspecified), china, complete and ivory
- Measurements:
-
overall (teeth): 18 mm x 58 mm x 48 mm, 0.018 kg
overall (stand): 38 mm x 75 mm x 96 mm, 0.107 kg
undefined
- type:
- denture
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- furnishing and equipment
- furnishing - artefact
- furniture
- credit:
- Brown, H.C.
Cite this page
Rights
We encourage the use and reuse of our collection data.
Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
Descriptions and all other text content are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
Download
Download catalogue entry as json
View manifest in IIIF viewer
Add to Animal Crossing Art Generator
Download manifest IIIF
Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.