Description:
Two thumb lancets with tapered, tortoiseshell covers known as "leaves" rotating on a steel rivet, each set in their own compartment of a two-part leather case, which were used for venesection. The donor, a well-known antique dealer, thought that they were probably owned locally. The double-edged blade could be pivoted between the leaves and gripped between the thumb and index point close to the tip and then positioned for a trust at any angle. This folding form dominated bloodletting practice virtually unchanged from the mid 16th century until venesection full out of favor 300 years later. One lancet has a straight top and the other has a rounded top; the tip of one steel blade is broken off. Sharp steel blades were protected on either side with hinged covers which when the blade was exposed also served as a handle. The covers were usually made from tortoise shell but came in a number of other precious materials. The containers used for thumb lancets were small enough to be carried in the pocket of a physician on his rounds. They varied from simple leather boxes to beautiful finely crafted cases made from silver, gold, sharkskin, tortoise shell, mother of pearl, horn and wood.
Subjects:
Leather Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+61.140.1 |
