Street dentist's cap

sketchfab

This distinctive cap once belonged to a street "dentist" or tooth puller. Made from rich brown velvet and felt, it boasts approximately 88 decayed human teeth that were once extracted from his patients' mouths. The teeth have been skillfully drilled and secured with twine, giving the impression of a skilled craftsperson at work. Wearing such a cap was meant to convey the "magician" aspect of dentistry, as tooth extraction was a painful and high-risk procedure performed without anesthesia. People needed to have faith in their dentist's abilities, and this cap served as tangible evidence that he had successfully honed his trade.