A fascinating slice of 19th-century European medical history with this authentic collection of antique bloodletting and historical display artifacts, originating from France.
Centred around a signed Mathieu à Paris brass spring-loaded scarificator in functional working order, this curated set represents traditional historical medical practices of the Victorian era.
Collection includes:
The Scarificator: A heavy brass mechanical mechanism signed "Mathieu à Paris" with eight internal spring-action blades that release via a side trigger. Designed to quickly and efficiently produce multiple small, regular cuts on the skin of a patient. They were once essential tools for the practice of bloodletting, which was of the commonest treatments employed by generations of doctors to tackle a range of diseases and other medical conditions.
The Cupping Glasses: Four clear glass apothecary cupping vessels historically used alongside the scarificator.
The Folding Lancet: A brass-handled multi-blade pocket fleam stamped "Nogent" and "Qualité Garantie."
Condition & Display:
Showing rich, honest patination, age-appropriate brass tarnishing, and minor steel oxidation consistent with genuine 19th-century historical pieces. Perfect for collectors of medical history, cabinet of curiosities displays, or historic academic study. Sold strictly as a historic collectible artifact for display purposes.
Mathieu à Paris was founded in 1847 by Louis-Joseph Mathieu (1817–1879), a Belgian-born craftsman who established his operations in the heart of Paris's medical district (operating out of various notable addresses over the decades, such as Rue de l'École de Médecine and Rue de l'Ancienne-Comédie). After his death, his sons took over and continued the firm's legacy. Today instruments marked "Mathieu à Paris" are valued by collectors for their high grade of brasswork, reliability, and precision engineering.
The scarificator measures 4.2 x 4.5 cm (1.65" x 2") and the fleam 11.6 x 6cm (4.57" x 2.36"), when closed.
Note for Collectors:
This set is sold strictly as a historical collectible and curiosity. It is not intended for, nor suitable for, any modern medical or practical use.
These items are offered are a collection because of their commonality of purpose but please note they were unlikely to have been used together originally as they came from different sources.
Examples of these items are included in the Science Museum Collection in London and can be viewed via the links below:
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co136156/scarificator-with-eight-lancets
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co143787/metal-fleam
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co135774/cupping-glass
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