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by Kary Pardy

Sense and Sensibility: Collecting Victorian Sensory Technology

he Victorian era, also known as the period
from the late 19th century until the
Tearly 20th, is well known to collectors for
its wealth of intriguing personal items. The
chatelain was a fascinating Swiss Army knife-type
assortment of personal objects that hung from
one’s belt and doubled as jewelry. Calling cards
(and their cases) most closely resemble modern
business cards, but the secret language that
accompanied their delivery has no contemporary
equivalent. While we might not always be able to
recognize Victorian era items, we can certainly
relate to the motivations behind them. This arti- A c. 1850-1900 ear trumpet made from hammered
cle will showcase some Victorian personal care unmarked silver on a silver chain to be carried around
pieces to add to your collection; you might even An early pair of faux tortoiseshell celluloid auricles the neck. The size of the trumpet is such that this
be inspired to try them yourself. mounted on a material covered steel headband could only have been used for a child; presumably, a
c. 1890-1910. The auricles are unmarked and made privileged one from a wealthy family to have been able
Hearing Aids from early thick celluloid with multiple joints and seams. to afford an aid like this. The ornately hand-carved
grille can be removed. So too can the hand-blown glass
They are unmarked. The steel headband is covered with
Just like it sounds, ear trumpets have origins a material lining to protect the cold steel coming in earpiece. The trumpet works very well. Dating this piece
in the music world. Instrument makers in the contact with the head or skin. The earpiece is formed is difficult, but it is certainly 19th century and possibly
late 18th century were getting commissions for from an extension to the celluloid. Physic.com earlier and likely to have been of European origin.
trumpets made out of animal horn, shells, wood,
pliable sheet metal, or silver. They function not by amplifying the them on a larger scale was F. C. Rein of London, which began
sound, but instead by channeling the sound into a smaller, targeted production of its more portable, Collapsible Ear Trumpet in 1800.
area. The result was a louder sound with no added effort or mechanical While the ear trumpet was ingenious, imagine having to carry one
functions required. They became quite popular in the latter half of the about or constantly employ it in a conversation: clearly – the smaller,
18th century. the better. This resulted in the production and popularity of increasingly
Successful models included the Townsend Trumpet, the Daubeney small ear trumpets and conical horns in the mid to late 1800s. Some
Trumpet, and the Reynolds Trumpet, but the first company to produce makers even combined trumpets with ladies folding fans for added

The prolonged and profound sadness of Queen Victoria
after the death of Prince Albert set the stage for a period
when the wearing of somber clothing after a death was
not simply a matter of etiquette but became one of
fashion. Jewelry in jet and onyx and other accessories
became de rigueur. Advice could be found in periodicals
not just on vestments but also suitably staid household
items to be used at times of bereavement. This metal
Frederick Rein & Son were the makers of choice if you needed an ear trumpet. Rein even designed a special acoustic trumpet lined in black silk and embroidered with lace
throne for King John VI of Portugal in 1918. The throne had arms in the shape of roaring lions, whose open has an ivory earpiece. An attached silk ribbon allows
mouths acted as receiving tubes for sounds that were transmitted to the King’s ear via a tube near the top of the the device to be secured around the neck.
chair. This ornate piece is a silver-plated tear trumpet by Rein. courtesy of The Old Corkscrew Physic.com

20 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles