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Ivory figure of a woman reclining on upholstered wooden couch, China, 1700-1920
An ivory figure of a woman reclining on an upholstered wooden couch. Historians thought that Chinese women would point out where their body was affected by illness on a doll like this, instead of having a physical examination. Now most historians think this is a myth.
Part of a couch from an ivory diagnostic figure of a woman, Chinese
Ivory diagnostic figure, reclining on main part of upholstered wooden couch, Chinese
Not much is known about ivory figures showing women reclining on wooden couches with padded silk cushions. Historians believed that the figures were used by women when consulting their doctors to point out where their body hurt or was ill, perhaps to prevent embarrassment and any touching that would have been inappropriate. However, this has now been dismissed as a myth.
