Model alligator

Made:
1801-1900 in England
Model alligator, 115 scale, English, C19. Black background.

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Model alligator, 115 scale, English, C19. Black background.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model alligator, 1:15 scale, English, C19

Alligators such as this one were once commonly hung from the ceilings of apothecary shops. They appear to have been symbols associated with the profession and one was even mentioned by William Shakespeare who, in Romeo and Juliet, describes an apothecary in which hangs “An alligator stuff’d, and other skins of ill-shaped fishes”.

Apothecaries and barber-surgeons were close professions and the latter also had similar creatures on display in their premises.

Details

Category:
Pharmacy-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A632274
Materials:
resin, wood (unidentified) and complete
Measurements:
overall: 105 mm x 825 mm x 180 mm, 0.73 kg
type:
alligator
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust