Gold Plated Brass Ear Trumpet Horn, Circa 1900. Unique piece in good condition.

This simple and curious piece is a brass ear trumpet designed to be used by deaf people. Its operation is quite easy: the user has to introduce the narrowest end of the trumpet into his or her ear and the sounds will enter amplified through the wide mouth, thanks to its special configuration. These trumpets were very popular in the past because of its efficiency, and they are currently highly coveted pieces for many collectors. The trumpet we can see in these images is well preserved and is more than one hundred years old, a feature that turns it into a very special article.The article is 37 centimeters long and is composed of two brass parts. One of the two parts communicates directly with the users ear and is wielded to the other in the middle of the horn. The narrow end is bent in a right angle to make its insertion easier. The second part curves graciously and opens up in the end of the horn. The brass surface is in good condition though it shows some signs of the trace of time and use. Far from being an inconvenient, these details testify for the ancient age and the authenticity of the piece and turn it into a really charming article.Ear trumpets are also known as acoustic horns. The first designs appeared in the 17th century and they were manufactured with different materials: iron, sterling silver, wood, animal horn and even seashells. Curiously enough, some designs were thought to hide the devices real function as many users did not wish anybody to know about their hearing impairment. So the trumpets were hidden under the appearance of fans, walking sticks or even expensive jewels.This vintage ear trumpet from the early 20th century is still a lovely and functional article. It is a great piece for a good collection of rare antiques.Measurements: Length: 37 cm.