Bronze pessary, Roman, 200 BCE-400 CE

Made:
200 BCE-400 CE in Roman Empire
Bronze pessary, Roman, 200 BCE-400 CE Ring pessary, bronze, Roman Ring pessary, bronze, Roman Ring pessary, bronze, Roman

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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 

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

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

Ring pessary, bronze, Roman
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ring pessary, bronze, Roman
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ring pessary, bronze, Roman
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ring pessary, bronze, Roman, 200 BCE-400 CE

A pessary can be one of three things: a device to support the vagina and pelvic organs; a form of contraception; or a means of administering medical treatment.

This bronze ring, which has two parts, resembles modern day pessaries shaped like a ring or donut. These devices are placed inside the vagina to prevent pelvic organs slipping down (prolapse) by supporting the vaginal walls and nearby organs, including the uterus.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A646741
Materials:
bronze
Measurements:
overall: 30 mm 70 mm, 0.13kg
type:
pessary
credit:
Gorga, Evangelista