Ivory massager, Europe, 1871-1930

Made:
1871-1930 in Europe
Ivory roulette, double, with ridged roller and three balls

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Ivory roulette, double, with ridged roller and three balls
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivory roulette, double, with ridged roller and three balls

Made from ivory, this type of massager is known as a roulette. The two different ends, one ridged and one made up of three independently rotating balls, give different sensations to the body. The massager would have been purchased from a chemist and used at home, possibly with oils.

Massage is an ancient activity practised by medical professionals and non-professionals alike across a range of different medical traditions. As well as being a means of healing and relieving pain, it also helps people to feel relaxed.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A161658
Materials:
whole, ivory and whole, steel
type:
massager
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)