19th century carved bone and horn folding toothpick

Antique sewing boxes often included personal grooming tools in addition to the expected scissors and needle case, such as earspoons, scent bottles, and in this case, a folding toothpick! The ornately carved handle is made from ox or cow bone and the blade is a thin slice of somewhat flexible horn (also cow or ox).

This is most likely an “orphan” object from a set of bone tools made in China for the European export market in the late 1800s.

1-1/2″ long closed, 2-3/4″ long fully opened.In excellent condition with nicely incised detail and tiny red ink accents.