Surgical instrument set, Europe, 1650-1685

Made:
1650-1685 in Europe
Silver mounted shagreen instrument case, which belonged to a Dr

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Silver mounted shagreen instrument case, which belonged to a Dr
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver mounted shagreen instrument case, which belonged to a Dr. Shumatt about 1685, containing one scalpel and two metal bits, (? curettes), European, 1650-1685

This instrument case contains a scalpel and curettes, which were instruments used for scraping and cleaning a diseased surface. It is covered with shagreen (stained fish skin) with silver decorations. The handwritten inscription in one of the drawers reads “Dr Shumatt surgical case came from France in the time of the Revolution – The abolition of the Edict of Nantes 1685”. The Edict of Nantes, 1598, gave some religious freedoms to French Protestants, known as Huguenots, who previously had been persecuted. Many Huguenots left France and brought their skills to other countries in Europe.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A608304
Materials:
case, leather, fishskin and silver
Measurements:
overall: 52 mm x 162 mm x 55 mm, 0.18kg
lancet: 131 mm
type:
surgical instrument set