A fine French masticator to aid the chewing of food in the elderly and edentulous. This is a remarkably well put together instrument; the metal is steel and the handles are made from horn.

The teeth are held together in the resting state by a sprung clip which secures the ends of the handles. Signed on the inside of one handle “Masticateur Carrier” and on the other “A Aubry Bd. St Michel 6. Paris Brevete”. It packs away in a typically French etui.

• From the Phisick collection