Acupuncture training model, China, 1725-1730

Made:
1725-1730 in China
Bronze acupuncture figure Bronze acupuncture figure

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Bronze acupuncture figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bronze acupuncture figure
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Acupuncture training model, with bronze acupuncture figure, in silk covered box bearing text of an Imperial decree of Yung Chen, China, c. 1727

A bronze acupuncture training model used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for teaching the position of acupuncture points on the body. The model was covered in a thick layer of wax and filled with water or mercury. Students pressed acupuncture needles into the wax, and discovered if they had found the right spot when the liquid poured out.

Details

Category:
Asian Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A156197
Materials:
complete, bronze, paper, silk and wood (unidentified)
Measurements:
box: 112 mm x 342 mm x 163 mm, 0.59kg
overall (standing upright, as displayed): 350 mm x 400 mm x 200 mm, 2.014 kg
type:
acupuncture figure
credit:
Norton, H.R.N.