Pocket surgical instrument set, cased, Barcelona, Spain, 1801-1900

Pocket surgical instrument set in leather wallet, by Molinari Fadesteran, Spanish, possibly 19th century

This fourteen-piece surgical instrument kit was small enough to be carried by the owner. The case is leather embossed and painted with gold detail and also has a side pocket, possibly for papers. The kit contains a needle, two catheters, two knives, an elevator, a spatula, two directors, forceps, a pair of scissors, a probe and two bistouries. The instruments are made of steel and fold into protective tortoiseshell handles. The blades are held in place when opened to stop the instruments slipping during use and causing damage and extra pain to the patient or cutting the user’s hand. The set is marked with the name “Molinari Fade Stevan”.