A fine unmarked silver auricle with an ivory ear piece inscribed Lindsey 32 Ludgate Hill in a fitted velvet lined leather case.

Lindsay would have been commissioned to make this bespoke piece for the left ear by the owner. There is reference to Lindsey and Sons of Ludgate Hill in the National Archived dating to 1886 but this is predated in the SIM Morris’ London Directory where Lindsey & Sons, 32 Ludgate Hill and 40 Gracechurch St., London EC have an entry dated 1877. An undated advert (see last picture) shows their practice as as cutlers and opticians in Broad Street in Oxford.

• From the Phisick collection