A thin, pointed, instrument for removing particles of food lodged between the teeth. Examples made of gold or silverwere popular in England during the Renaissance; some were enamelled or decorated withgemstones, and were worn suspended from a neck chain.In Italy, where toothpicks are still widely used, very ornate examples have been made since the 15th century, sometimes having the head in the form of a mermaid or other figure. A German example,16th century, is in the shape of a sickle. Some toothpicks have been made with an ear-pick at the end opposite the point, and some have a toothpick and an ear-pick joined by aswivel. Modern examples made of gold have the point retractable into a decorative case.