Surgical instruments, Roman, 199 BCE-500 CE

Made:
199 BCE-500 CE in Roman Empire
Mass of surgical instruments fused together by fire, Roman Mass of surgical instruments fused together by fire, Roman

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Mass of surgical instruments fused together by fire, Roman
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mass of surgical instruments fused together by fire, Roman
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mass of surgical instruments fused together by fire, Roman, from Sforza collection

These bronze surgical instruments have been fused together – probably by the intense heat of a fire. It appears that they were once stored in a small rectangular box as they are all lying in the same direction. It also seems likely that they were once carried by a Roman physician when visiting his patients.

This bronze instrument set was purchased in August 1930 from the collection of Guido Sforza, a collector of Roman surgical instruments.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A113691
Materials:
brass
Measurements:
overall: 55 mm x 190 mm x 60 mm, .34kg
type:
surgical instrument set
credit:
Sforza, G.