Dental instrument set, United States, 1871-1900

Set of dental instruments in case, late 19th century. Various makers. Almost certainly the property of American dentist Eleazor Gidney

This large and ornately decorated dental instrument set may have been made for an exhibition. It has six layers of instruments, most of which have mother-of-pearl handles with an amber inlay. The instruments include dental keys, dental forceps for tooth pulling and dental descalers to remove plaque and deposits from the teeth. It is a large chest measuring 430 mm long and weighing 13.11 kg.