File:A fragment of a post medieval bone toilet implement dating to the 16th century. (FindID 583360).jpg

English: A fragment of a post medieval bone toilet implement dating to the 16th century. Only the decorative head of this ear scoop remains, the shank with the scoop is broken and missing. The terminal has been decoratively carved to depict a three dimensional head of a unicorn. The horn and the muzzle are broken and missing, the neck is curved and is decorated with diagonal engraved lines, possibly representing a mane. Where the animal connects to the stem is a double-reel leading to a narrower double-reel then a single bead with a central fracture. The muzzle is broken across the eye and another eye has been carved onto each side at the base of the ear suggesting this object was reused after the damage to the muzzle.

A very similar more complete ear scoop is illustrated by MacGregor (1985:100 fig 57b) and the author notes that toilet sets of bone began to achieve widespread popularity from the 16th century. There are slight variations in the carving of the reel decoration but the two heads are very similar. The published example is also from London.

Dimensions: length: 35.56 mm; thickness: 9.21 mm; weight: 2.45g.

Reference: MacGregor, A. 1985. Bone, Antler, Ivory and Horn. The Technology of Skeletal Materials since the Roman Period. Croom Helm, London and Sydney.