Female ivory anatomical figure, Europe, undated

Made:
undated in Europe
Ivory anatomical figure Ivory anatomical figure Ivory anatomical figure Ivory anatomical figure Ivory anatomical figure Female ivory anatomical figure, Europe, undated Ivory anatomical figure Ivory anatomical figure Ivory anatomical figure

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory anatomical figure, a pregnant female with some removable organs in elaborate wood, glass and metal box, lead seal tied around neck of figure

Female ivory anatomical figures of this type were popular in the 1600 and 1700s, and were almost always shown as pregnant. In this example the foetus, which is ready to be born, is shown with an umbilical cord made from red thread. The lungs, heart, liver and kidneys are also visible. The lead seal around the neck may have been added by the maker.

Such ivory anatomical figures normally came in male and female pairs. 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.

Details

Category:
Anatomy & Pathology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A642621
Materials:
figure, ivory, figure, cord, figure, lead, seal, box, wood, box, metal and box, glass
Measurements:
overall: 85 mm x 95 mm x 242 mm,
type:
anatomical figures