Bone Toothbrush Pendant

Historical Information
Type: Toothbrush fragment (repurposed as pendant)
Fabric: Bone
Date: 18th-19th Century
Find Location: Colchester, UK
Extra information:
Early toothbrushes were commonly made from carved bone
handles fitted with natural bristles, marking an important development in personal hygiene. While forms of tooth cleaning date back to ancient civilisations, the first mass-produced toothbrush is often credited to William Addis in the late 18th century. According to tradition, Addis conceived the idea while imprisoned following unrest linked to fair pay and working conditions, experimenting with a bone handle and bristles to create a more effective cleaning tool. After his release, he established a business producing toothbrushes on a larger scale. Bone-handled examples remained widely used throughout the 19th century
before being replaced by early plastics. Finds from the Thames reflect everyday life, and repurposing such a
fragment preserves a tangible link to both innovation and
social history