Doctor's shop sign

Wooden doctor's signboard, inscribed, hung with human teeth, Chinese

The Chinese characters inscribed on the wooden sign translate into English as ‘Doctor for treating miscellaneous diseases’. 25 human teeth are threaded on each of the half metre-long threads. It is unknown why human teeth are used on this doctor’s sign. They likely indicate the doctor specialised in tooth pulling. The human teeth were a visual aid for people who could not read to identify the doctor’s trade.

Details

Category:
Asian Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A642963
Materials:
wood, card, human teeth, string and metal
Measurements:
overall weight: x x , , .835kg
type:
human remains and shop sign
credit:
Wellcome Trust