Explore early approaches to medical treatment and self-care with an incredible range of objects dating from as early as 4000 BCE to around 500CE, many from Rome and Egypt.
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Combined spatula and olive-ended probe, bronze, excavated in Cyprus
200-200
Solid bronze priapic amuletic pendant, probably Roman, 200BC-200AD
100 BCE -1900
Bone spoon with decorated handle, possibly Roman, from Italy(?), 100BC-1900
1870-1920
Plaster copy of oculist's seal with inscriptions on 3 sides, Roman, copy European, 1870-1920
Plaster statue depicting cadaver leading away a Duke by the hand, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
100 BCE - 100 CE
Bronze statuette, Fat Horus, Roman period, Egypt, 100BC-100AD
Plaster statue depicting cadaver seizing The Sheriff by right arm, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
50-300 CE
Mortarium, terracotta, Roman, by Albini of Lyons, found in Southwark, 50AD-300AD
200-100
Votive breast, terracotta, Roman, 200BC-100
375-325 BCE
Red-figure squat lekythos, with figured and palmette decoration, handle now detached, Apulian, Italy, 375BC-325BC
1601-1700
Lead cross, a replica of one taken from the graves of victims of the plague in London, original 17th century
117-138 CE
Roman marble bath reputedly owned by Emperor Hadrian, English, 117 to 138 CE.
1-300 CE
Rectangular stone slab, perforated in centre for pouring libations through into a grave, dedicated by parents for their son Theopropus, Roman, 1-300
Inscribed section of lead water pipe, Roman, 1-300 AD
1901-1930
Roman dental bridge, upper, three teeth, copy, original excavated at Teano
1801-1930
Framed plaster copy of bas relief showing surgical operations, original Egyptian, 2500BC, copy European, 1801-1930
1801-1900
Wooden figure of Saint Giles, French, probably 19th Century, invoked against leprosy. Statue of male figure in Monks clothing, with Dog, on an octagonal base.
101-200 CE
Plaster replica of a Roman bust shows Marcus Modius Asiaticus, Roman, 2nd century AD
100 BCE - 200 CE
Votive pregnant female figure, torso only, terracotta, said to have been found in Suffolk, Roman, 100BC-200AD
100 BCE - 400 CE
Solid bronze phallic amulet in form of pripus with hindquarters of horse, suspension loop and chain at top and 2 pendants attached to base, Graeco-Roman, no provenance details, 100BC-400
200 BCE-200 CE
Votive bladder, terracotta, Etrusco-Roman, 200BC-200AD
451-400 BCE
Black figure eye cylix, Boestian, 451-400BC
1900-1933
Painted plaster copy of a cippus depicting Horus, used to ward off wild animals, Egyptian, 1000BC-200BC
2000-100 BCE
Tall alabaster ointment pot, Egyptian, 2000BC-100BC
1501-1600
Carved wooden head of a christian martyr, ivory teeth, with severed head showing accurate anatomical detail, from the chapel of an abbey in Champagne, France, 16th century
1-200 CE
Glass cinerary urn, with double-looped handles, Roman, Western European, 1 to 200 AD
1500-1700
Wooden figure of Saint Suzanne, invoked against public calamities and rain, probably French, 1500-1700
Plaster statue depicting cadaver with long hair and in drapery grasping Empress by wrist and shoulder, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
Plaster statue of cadaver with lute escorting Duchess, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
Votive left leg, terracotta, Roman, 200BC-200AD
4000-30 BCE
Pottery amulet, Bastet, goddess of pestilence, Egyptian, 4000-30BC
100-400 CE
Drain, with decorated inspection cover, Roman, 100-400
54-411 CE
Probe and mixer combined, Roman, found in Walbrook in City of London
Plaster statue depicting cadaver grasping The Usurer by the throat, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
Plaster statue of cadaver grasping The Jew by his money bag and his beard, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
400-375 BCE
Red figure skyphos or drinking cup, painted by the Wellcome painter, `depicting a youth holding a strigil, Apulian, South Italy, 400BC-375BC
before 1932
Earthenware drug jar, glazed, Islamic
199 BCE-500 CE
Set of 3 toilet implements on ring, bronze, Sforza collection, Roman, 199BC-500AD
Water pipe, rectangular, terracotta, Roman, 200BC-200AD
Copy of a very long instrument used by priests to dispense the sacraments and avoid personal contact with persons suffering from plague, original 16th century
Statue of Saint Cornelius, wood, French, 19th century
Votive face, terracotta, painted features, probably Roman, 200CB-200AD, possibly with recent modification
Lead mortuary cross from monastic victim of the plague, English, 1601-1700
Plaster statue of cadaver in breast plate with sword, who has arm around a knight in armour, his helmet is under cadaver's foot, one of a set of 37 statues, representing the Dance of Death, probably English, early to mid 19th century
201-300 CE
Fragment of a roman relief from a marble sarcophagus showing a winged cherub, part of Asklepios and a serpent, possibly a doctor's sarcophagus, 3rd century AD
Votive placenta, terracotta, probably Roman, 200BC-200AD
Etruscan dental bridge, one tooth, copy
1901-1970
Metal cup, copy of the original silver cup in Lourve, decorated with a series of skeletons wich depict the dance of death, Roman
2000-1001 BCE
Mummy of peregrine falcon, Egyptian, 2000-1001 BC
300-200 BCE
Cinerary urn, rectangular, with lid, terracotta, decorated, probably Etruscan, 300-200 BCE
