Folding parturition chair, reputedly Sicilian, 1701-1830

Made:
1701-1830 in Palermo
Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo" Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo" Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo"

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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 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo"
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo"
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo"
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Folding parturition chair, the "Miraculous Chair of Palermo", wood and leather, reputedly Sicilian, 1701-1830

This chair is also known as a birthing chair and is designed so that it can be folded up. It is made out of wood and has a leather seat and is reputed to come from Sicily. Women used it when they were giving birth and it has been estimated that it was used in 2000 deliveries whilst in the possession of a family of midwives for three generations. An image of Christ is painted on the back of the chair above where the woman's head would rest.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A602123
Materials:
wood, leather, paint, metal (unknown) and complete
Measurements:
overall: 940 mm x 584 mm x 384 mm, 12 kg
type:
parturition chair