Female ivory anatomical figure, Europe, 1601-1800

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

Models such as this were quite widely available in the 1600s. The torso can be removed to show the internal organs. The intestines can be removed to reveal a foetus.

The level of anatomical detail is limited but gives a basic layout of the main organs. As such it is likely that the model was used to teach lay people about basic human anatomy. It may possibly have been used by midwives to provide reassurance for pregnant women and to teach young married couples about anatomy and pregnancy. Models like this are sometimes found in pairs, male and female, and the female figure is always shown as pregnant.