Wax copy of a phrenological head, Europe, 1839

Made:
1839 in Europe
Wax copy of a phrenological head Wax copy of a phrenological head Wax copy of a phrenological head Wax copy of a phrenological head

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Wax copy of a phrenological head
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wax copy of a phrenological head
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wax copy of a phrenological head
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wax copy of a phrenological head
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wax copy of a phrenological head, with areas marked off and labelled, on wooden stand with glass cover

This human skull is marked into sections and was probably used for phrenological consultations. Phrenologists believed the shape and size of areas of the brain (and therefore the overlying skull) determined personality. Phrenological heads were used as reference guides during consultations. Phrenology was popular with large numbers of people in the 1800s. However, it became controversial within the medical profession and was dismissed as unfounded.

Details

Category:
Psychology, Psychiatry & Anthropometry
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A21022
Materials:
head, wax, stand, wood and cover, glass
Measurements:
overall: 90 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm,
type:
phrenological head
credit:
Foster's