English, c. 1890, a large brass bound figured walnut case, the brass with decorative floral engraving and central raised cartouche engraved with leopard crest , 'LABOR OMNIA VINCIT' and the initials C I H, the case fitted with four Braman locks (and original key) for lid and separate compartments; lid opens to reveal bevelled mirror, a velvet-lined compartment for six cut-glass bottles, each with ground glass stopper and hinged silver cap, each again engraved with motto and initials; the top tray contains a hinged silver-gilt mounted dental mirror with ornately carved mother-of-peal handle and three further matching dental instruments (other instruments are missing); removing this tray reveals a tray with 16 matching dental instruments all with mother-of pearl handles, including a needle holder and a folding gum lancet with three blades, each stamped SMALE, a row of 12 miniature bottles with ground glass stoppers, six with covers of oil bottle form; removing the second tray reveals a tray with minor surgery instruments including folding instruments with tortoiseshell handles by Savigny, London including a lancet, a silver catheter, silver-plated toungue depressor, forceps etc.; below this are three shallow silk-lined compartments, one contaiming 19th century dental foil. Below all of this are two sprung drawers accessed from either side of the case, each contains dental pluggers with mother-of-pearl handles, (22, two missing); each of those two drawers have in turn concealed transverse drawers each containing 12 steel dental instruments. Finally, opening the front drawer at the base of the case reveals 13 (of 14) dental extraction forceps, some by Maw, arnold etc but the original ones appear unmarked except for their intended use stamped inside handles (e.g. 'LOWER INCISORS AND CANINES'; case 54cm x 34.5cm, 24cm deep.

Provenance: From a private collection, purchased more than 50 years ago. By repute commissioned and used by a dental surgeon on board one of the early luxury transatlantic liners.