A very early pair of dental forceps of European origin.  This instrument would have been hand forged by a blacksmith in the 16th or early 17th century.

They are of a style similar to the instrument shown on page 8 of Colyer’s book “Old Instruments for Use in Extracting Teeth” which are of Roman design and show the fulcrum of the forceps placed lower than was used later.

• From the Phisick collection