Wooden chair with 12 steel blades, China, 1701-1900

Made:
1701-1900 in China
Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Figures from arms of torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900 Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900

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Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Figures from arms of torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden torture chair, Chinese, 1701-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden chair set with 12 steel blades, Chinese, 1701-1900

Despite its unpleasant associations, this chair is ornately decorated with foliage, scrolls and the heads of mythological sea monsters called makara. It is made from wood with 12 steel blades in the arm, back and foot rests and seat. For many years this chair was believed to be a torture instrument, however, they were used by Chinese spirit mediums or tangki whilst channeling the spirit of a god. Sitting on the blades demonstrated the superhuman power of the god over the human flesh, which remained unharmed.

Details

Category:
Wellcome (general)
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A634731
Materials:
chair, wood and blades (12), steel
type:
chair