This white metal dental mirror which belonged to Frederick Abraham Eskell has recently been acquired at auction by the BDA Museum. The mirror measures 8.5 cm and is carved on the reverse and housed in a red leather box inscribed with the dentist's name.

Frederick A. Eskell (1818-1874) was born in Scotland into an already established dental family. His father Philippus Van Noorden, later Philip Eskell (1784-1862), and his four brothers had set sail from Rotterdam for a new life in Britain in 1795. A connection with dentist Herman Lyons of Edinburgh and a change of name and Philip set out on a dental career. He married and moved to Sheffield around 1839 and placed his first advertisement in the local paper.

At the age of 25, Frederick A. Eskell moved to Manchester and opened a practice at 28 Cooper Street, moving to 32 Cooper Street within a few years. Following his father's prolific use of advertising F. A. Eskell announced his arrival too. By 1858 father and son operated highly successful practices in Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington. Frederick moved with his wife and ten children to 25 Hanover Square, London in 1871 and joined with other members of the family. His son Louis continued the dental dynasty.

Your donations to the Gelbier Acquisition and Conservation Fund made this acquisition possible. Please help the BDA Museum to continue to acquire important objects for its unrivalled collection. Donate now at www.bda.org/gelbierfund.

For further information the publication The Eskells, The story of a family by Louis B. Eskell is available from the BDA library.