Ivory female anatomical figure, Germany, 1601-1800

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

Lying on an ebony couch, this female anatomical model is shown as pregnant. The ivory torso can be removed to show the internal organs. Unfortunately, many are missing, as is the foetus from the uterus.

Popular in the 1600s and 1700s, female models like these were almost always shown as pregnant and normally came as a pair with a male equivalent. The organs are not very detailed so it is unlikely that the model was used for medical teaching. The figure was possibly made to teach young couples about anatomy and pregnancy or it may have been a collector’s item.