Spherical bezoar stone from unknown animal, 1551-1750

Made:
1551-1750 in unknown place
Spherical speckled bezoar stone from unknown animal, 1551-1750 Left hand side, A635027

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Spherical speckled bezoar stone from unknown animal, 1551-1750
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Left hand side, A635027
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Spherical speckled bezoar stone from unknown animal, 1551-1750

Bezoar stones are found in the stomachs and intestines of animals and humans. They are made from things that cannot be digested in the body, such as hair, and fibres from fruit and vegetables. This forms a hard, solid stone. The stones were placed in drinks to counteract poisons from would-be assassins. (It was believed that bezoar stones could counteract any poison.) The stone on the right is 45 mm in diameter. It is shown here with a bezoar stone from a camel (A635027).

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A635026
Materials:
calculus
Measurements:
overall: 37 mm x 43 mm x 42 mm, 0.01kg
type:
bezoar stone