A small antique ear trumpet of the Sonor type in faux tortoise shell by Acousticon.

It has a brass telescopic attachment which extends and rotates and which can (by design) be completely removed from the chamber. The ear piece itself is made I think from gutta percha. It too is detachable and screws onto the brass extension on a nice tight thread. The decorative grill is made from brass which has a black ‘Japanned’ finish.

• From the Phisick collection