Antique turned wooden medical mouth opener, circa 1900

An antique turned wooden medical mouth opener, with a threaded conical shape and a rounded handle, designed for the gradual maintenance of mouth opening during medical examinations, dental procedures, or therapeutic interventions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The conical thread allowed for graduated opening by rotation, providing precise adjustment without a metal mechanism. The pronounced patina, even wear, and visible signs of use attest to an instrument that was actually used, characteristic of wooden medical equipment before the widespread adoption of devices made of metal and synthetic materials.

✦ Origin: France
✦ Estimated period: Circa 1890-1910
✦ Dimensions: Approximately 11 x 4.5 cm
✦ Material: Turned wood, probably boxwood
✦ Condition: Significant signs of age and use, with a rich patina and visible wear on the handle and threads. The overall structure is sound, with no cracks or breaks.

An antique medical object representative of the medical instruments of the Belle Époque, sought after for a collection of antique medicine, a cabinet of curiosities or a display case of historical medical instruments.