Rare William IV antique silver ear trumpet
Rare William IV antique silver ear trumpet
8434
An extremely rare antique silver ear trumpet - an early hearing aid! - made during the reign of King William IV in the early 19th century. The trumpet form allows sound to reverberate and increase in volume. The original ivory earpiece has been replaced with faux ivory.
Charles & George Reily & Storer - were premier silversmiths operating in London during the first half of the 19th Century during the reigns of William IV and Victoria. Charles Reily went into partnership with his mother Mary Reily and entered his first mark on 31st May 1826 from their workshop address at Carey Lane, London, just round the corner from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' Hall. It appears they went into partnership with George Storer in 1829 as they registered another mark as silver plate workers on the 1st January of that year. They moved briefly to Paternoster Row in 1835 just as the new hall for the Goldsmiths was opened but were back at Carey Lane by 16th February, 1836.
It appears they started to specialise in smaller pieces as their later marks are found mainly on high quality snuff boxes and other smaller items.
Dimensions:
1830
London
Excellent
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