A circa 1883 pair of cornets or auricles secured to the ears with a steel headband

These are quite small, each cornet measuring only 50 x 35 x 30 mm and may have been used for a child. The ear pieces have the characteristic grain of elephant ivory and a  beautiful patina. The inside of the box reads ‘1 Pr lightly bronzed cornets No.1’ A similar pair of cornets is illustrated in the Hawksley catalogue of 1883 (see last picture).

• From the Phisick collection