An antique ear trumpet of the convoluted style made from tin and dating to the 19th century.

This would have been constructed by soldering together a series of bulbous segments, either in an attempt to as an aid to air conduction by mimicking the perceived appearance of the inner ear. The finish is in a black lacquer which is well maintained apart from a small area on the apex (see photo). The inside is also black and the opening of the trumpet has been silvered.

• From the Phisick collection