Phrenological head, made from a skull, labelled in French, with an Italian summary, according to Spurzheim's system (35 divisions) 1815-1900
Phrenology was the study of the various measurements of the skull to determine character traits. Developed by Franz Joseph Gall at the turn of the 19th century, it quickly gained repute, although also attracted derision. Gall worked with Johann Spurzheim, who made certain alterations to the earlier system, increasing the number of organs and changing some of the names of the sections of the brain.
This phrenological head was made from the skull of a real person, thought to be a woman who died in her 20s.
Details
- Category:
- Psychology, Psychiatry & Anthropometry
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A642811
- Materials:
- bone
- Measurements:
-
overall: 150 mm x 131 mm x 200 mm,
- type:
- human remains and phrenological heads
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
