Full upper denture, London, England, 1795-1814
Porcelain dentures like this set were popular in the 1700s and 1800s. These porcelain dentures were possibly made by Nicholas Dubois de Chémant (1753-1824). He was a pioneer of porcelain dentures in the UK. He learned about them from Alexis Duchâteau (1714-92) in France. Duchâteau had developed porcelain dentures to replace his own stained and bad-smelling ivory set. Dubois de Chémant patented them in Britain in 1791. Most of his porcelain was obtained from Wedgwood. However, porcelain eventually decays in the mouth. It began being replaced by ‘vulcanite’ in the mid-1800s. This set has been repaired so as to make them almost impossible to wear.
Object number:
A622104
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: dentistry
The study, treatment and management of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, gums, teeth and their supporting tissues.
Glossary: artificial teeth
Artificial replacement of one, several, or all of the natural teeth especially ones not permanently anchored in the mouth.