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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Galvanic brooch, various metals, with head profile of a bald bearded man, by Z. Osselin, French, 1880-1920
The brooch is made from a number of different metals including brass, copper, lead and nickel-plated iron. The inscription translates from French as “Medical electro medal, purifies blood, cleanses bile, cures pains and rheumatism, health [is] all ruling”. It also carries the maker’s name, “E Osselin”.
The brooch was sold as a form of electrotherapeutic treatment, not dissimilar to the way copper bracelets are still used to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Details
- Category:
- Therapeutics
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A602789
- Materials:
- brass, complete, copper, iron (nickel plated) and lead
- type:
- brooch
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- costume
- jewellery
- pin - jewelry
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
