Victorian-era French toothbrush
From the late 18th to mid 20th centuries, the most common natural bristles used to make high-quality toothbrushes came from the neck and shoulder hairs of older wild hogs (boars) living in the cold climates of Siberia or the mountainous regions of northern China. Using wires or threads, brush head tufts were formed by drawing the bristles through holes drilled into the handle stock. As labor was cheap during the 1800s, the manufacture of very ornate toothbrushes with fancy handles was encouraged particularly in France. Circa 1810, silver toothbrush sets were made as luxury items appealing to the upper classes. Later that century, similar sets could be purchased from Sears & Roebuck and other mail order retailers.
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