Writing desk from the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy
- Materials:
- wood (unidentified) , leather and metal (unknown)
- Object Number:
- 1998-886/1
- type:
- writing desk
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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
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LicenseThe Commissioners in Lunacy Stamp, made of ivory and metal
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Metal key for writing desk from the Office of the Metropolitan
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
The Commissioners in Lunacy Stamp, made of ivory and metal
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Empty red inkwell, made of glass with a metal lid
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Empty red inkwell, made of glass with a metal lid
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Writing desk of the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy, 1828-1914, containing copies of relevant Acts of Parliament, Oaths, 3 bibles with handwritten oaths, and a seal. Also contains 2 removable glass inkwells, 2 small boxes, curved surface for resting pens (?), 1 ivory stamp, small key. Box lid has two leather inners, one attached and one removable, embossed with crown and floral design.
Writing desks were designed to be portable and to store writing equipment. This example came from the Office of the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy. The Commission was set up in 1828 to inspect private asylums in Middlesex and the London metropolitan area. It granted or revoked licences, and could make unannounced inspections, interview patients and release those it felt had been unjustly placed in asylums. The Commission sought to improve medical treatment of patients and set minimum acceptable standards of accommodation. Every year, the Commission had to submit a report to the Home Secretary of its findings. In 1845, its duties extended to all boroughs and counties of England and Wales.
The desk contains documents such as relevant Acts of Parliament and oaths used for giving evidence. These documents are testament to the treatment and status of mental illness in the 1800s and use terms considered unacceptable today. For example, the category ‘lunacy’ included “Rogues, Vagabonds, and other idle and disorderly persons”. If these individuals were considered to have mental illnesses, they could be ‘kept safely locked up in some secure place’ and if necessary ‘be there chained.’
Details
- Category:
- Psychology, Psychiatry & Anthropometry
- Object Number:
- 1998-886
- Materials:
- wood, leather, paper and ivory, glass
- Measurements:
-
overall: 155 mm x 500 mm x 360 mm,
- type:
- writing desk
- credit:
- Matsuda, Andrew, Dr.
Parts
Black leather purse with the crest of the Commissioners in Lunacy
A copy of the New Testament with handwritten oaths inside
New Testament with a typewritten copy of the 1909 Oaths Act
Copy of the New Testament with handwritten oaths inside
Card with Form of Oath and Form of Affirmation
Leatherbound card with Form of Oath
An Act to Amend the Laws for the Erection and Regulation of County Lunatic Asylums
Hard cover book of acts relating to Asylums, Lunatics, Paupers and Criminals
Empty black inkwell
Inkwell from Office of Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy
The Commissioners in Lunacy Stamp
