Wellcome Collection is part of the Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Collection is part of the Wellcome Trust
Home > Exhibitions and events > Exhibitions > Medicine Man > Image galleries > Understanding the body
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Understanding the body
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 Algerian, Italian and Tunisian amulets from the Hildburgh Collection, acquired before 1920
Amulets such as these were worn on the body or kept in the home for two major reasons. Some, such as the two Muslim hands of Fatima and the cloth heart made by Catholic nuns to pin on the clothing of babies, were believed to protect the wearer against the ‘evil eye’. Others, such as the container of saints’ relics, were believed to cure ill health. Image: The Pitt Rivers Museum |
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Understanding the body
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Fakir’s sandals
Wood and iron, Indian, 1871-1920 Fakirs are religious mendicants who achieve spiritual enlightenment through control of their physical sensations. These sandals have iron spikes in their soles. Popular imagery of Fakirs shows them lying on beds of nails or walking on hot coals. Years of practice and meditation are needed in order to master these abilities. Image: A23375, The Science Museum, London |
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Understanding the body
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Nail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sick
Wood, iron, mirror, cloth and mixed material, Kongo people, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1880-1920 This figure is known as a nkisi figure. Nkisi is the name given by the Kongo peoples and other ethnic groups living in the now Democratic Republic of the Congo to extremely powerful collections of materials that are contained in receptacles known as futu. The nkisi is used (by pounding metal objects into its wooden surface) to direct a spirit toward a specific aim: to protect, heal or destroy. Image: A197491, The Science Museum, London |
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Understanding the body
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Phrenological skull
European, 19th century Phrenologists believed that the shape and size of various areas of the brain determined personality (and therefore the overlying skull). In the early 19 century, phrenology became popular with large numbers of ordinary people who were interested in self-improvement. It was, however, always controversial in medical circles. Phrenologists also disagreed among themselves, as is demonstrated by the skull on display; one half of the head shows the system according to Gall, the inventor of phrenology, and the other half that according to his colleague Spurzheim. Image: A25407, The Science Museum, London |
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Understanding the body
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Model representing an anatomical demonstration
Wood and ivory, European, 18th century This intricate wood and ivory model is loosely based on the 1632 painting ‘The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaas Tulp’ by Rembrandt van Rijn. Nicolaas Tulp (1593-1674) was a Dutch anatomist. In the model and painting he is shown lecturing to an audience while dissecting a female corpse. Image: A119917, The Science Museum, London |
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Understanding the body
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Daniel Lambert, weighing almost 40 stone
Oil on canvas, British, 19th century Daniel Lambert was born the son of a Leicester gaoler in 1791. Despite claiming to only drink water and eat in moderation his size and weight increased enormously so that by the age of 36 he weighed over 50 stone and measured 9 feet 4 inches round his body. He turned his bulk to profit by exhibiting himself all over England, charging people a shilling to see him. Image: Wellcome Library, London |
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