Surgical instrument set, Persian, 18th century

Made:
1701-1800 in Iran
Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century. Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century. Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century. Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century. A642946/1

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Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A642946/1
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.

Set of surgical instruments

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A642946
Materials:
glass
type:
surgical instruments set
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust

Parts

Lancet, Iran, 1701-1800

Lancet, Iran, 1701-1800

Lancet with metal handlefrom set of cased surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.


The lancet in the foreground of the image has a large metal blade measuring 65 mm long. Lancets were used in bloodletting – a once popular universal treatment for a range of health problems. The high degree of decoration on the instruments, all from the same set, suggests that they probably belonged to a physician serving a wealthy family. It is shown here with other instruments from the same set (A642946/3, A642946/6, A642946/9).

Measurements:
overall: 11 mm x 145 mm x 39 mm, 0.054 kg
Materials:
steel , ebony and ivory
Object Number:
A642946/1
type:
lancet
Surgical scissors

Surgical scissors

Scissors with metal handles from set of cased surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.


The handles of the scissors fold out from the highly decorated brass rods. They are still very sharp. The level of decoration indicates they probably belonged to a physician serving a wealthy family. It is shown here with other surgical instruments from the same set (A642946/1, A642946/6, A642946/9).

Measurements:
overall: 6 mm x 140 mm x 15 mm, .034 kg
Materials:
steel (metal) and brass
Object Number:
A642946/3
type:
scissors
Surgical tool

Surgical tool

Slender wooden tool with ivory handle and bird on top

Object Number:
A642946/4
type:
surgical instrument
Surgical knife with ram's head handle

Surgical knife with ram's head handle

Knife with ram head, Persian, 18th century

Object Number:
A642946/5
type:
surgical knife
Surgical knife with ram's head handle

Surgical knife with ram's head handle

Knife with ram's head handle from set of cased surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.


This ornate brass knife would have been used during operations, possibly to cut tissues prior to limb amputations. The handle features the head of a two-horned golden ram. The level of decoration indicates it probably belonged to a physician serving a wealthy family. it is shown here with others from the same set (A642946/1, A642946/3, A642946/9).

Measurements:
overall: 22 mm x 322 mm x 43 mm, 0.206 kg
Materials:
steel (metal) and brass
Object Number:
A642946/6
type:
surgical knife
Surgical knife with ram's head handle

Surgical knife with ram's head handle

Knife with ram head, Persian, 18th century

Object Number:
A642946/7
type:
surgical knife
Surgical instrument

Surgical instrument

Metal tool (almost chisel-like) with ball on end of handle, Persian, 18th century

Object Number:
A642946/8
type:
surgical instrument
Surgical knife with lion's head handle

Surgical knife with lion's head handle

Knife with ivory handle from set of cased surgical instruments, Persian, 18th century.


Measuring just less than 250 mm, this knife is made from steel and ivory or bone. A lion bearing its teeth has been carved on the top of the cow hide patterned handle. The level of decoration indicates it probably belonged to a physician serving a wealthy family. It is shown here with other instruments from the same set (A642946/1, A642946/3, A642946/6).

Measurements:
overall: 12 mm x 245 mm x 20 mm, .05kg
Materials:
steel (metal) , paint and ivory
Object Number:
A642946/9
type:
surgical knife
Surgical knife with animal head handle

Surgical knife with animal head handle

Knife with lamb(?) head, Persian, 18th century

Object Number:
A642946/10
type:
surgical knife
Surgical instrument

Surgical instrument

Tapering spike with bone or ivory handle, Persian, 18th century

Object Number:
A642946/11
type:
surgical instrument
Internal sheath for surgical instrument set

Internal sheath for surgical instrument set

Sheath for Persian surgical instrument set, fits inside case

Object Number:
A642946/12
type:
case - container
Surgical instrument case

Surgical instrument case

Case for Persian surgical instruments

Materials:
glass
Object Number:
A642946/13
type:
instruments and surgery