Description

An unusual and fine  dental hygiene set with bone handles, in a velvet-lined case. French in origin and C1830 in date. The set  is unusual in that it includes a toothpick, tongue scraper and forceps, objects not typically seen in dental hygiene sets of this type,. which usually only contain the instruments shown in the bottom-layer of this set. The latches on the case close easily–they are sown open in the case image. The vermeil forceps are marked “BORDEAUX”.  Jean-Pierre Martin, in his book on French surgical instrument makers, mentions a Bordeaux in Montpellier,  C1730, but unless that firm continued into the 19th-century, for which no evidence exists,  they are probably not the maker of the forceps. The Length of case 6″ or 15cm. There are some minor hairlines on a few of the instruments in the lower portion of the case. Happy to provide additional images.