Ivory female anatomical figure, Germany, 1601-1800

Ivory anatomical figure, a pregnant female, with some removable internal organs, lying on an ebony couch, possibly German, 17th-18th century

Female ivory anatomical models of this type were popular in the 1600s and 1700s, and were almost always shown as pregnant, like this example, which is lying on an ebony stand. When the torso is removed the internal organs such as the heart, lungs and liver can be seen. The models are often shown lying on couches as if asleep. These figures normally came in male and female pairs. The organs are not very detailed so it is unlikely that the model was made for medical teaching. The figure was possibly used to teach young couples about anatomy and pregnancy or it may have been a collector’s item.