My dear, continent and ocean away, friend, Allyson Shaw is really raking in the wealth of British culture. There seems to be no end of major museums with crazy collections over there – I’m seriously jealous.
The above, seen in the Museum of the History of Science at Oxford, is the iron fist you’ve always wanted. Bring on the Iron Man jokes… etc… Described as Artificial Hand, possibly from the 16th century, this beautiful item probably once belonged to the era’s most stylish dictator. The fingers are operated by a spring located inside the hand.
Also worth checking out is this image of the museum’s pocket globe. I seriously need one of these to hang from my Blackberry like a charm.
Oh, and Ally, this one’s for you, straight from the OC, on the Hirst front! Imitation is the best form of flattery, huh?
Technorati Tags: Artificial Hand, 16th Century, hand, iron fist, iron, pocket globe, Allyson Shaw, Damien Hirst
While wandering around London after the horrible spectacle that was the, then new, London Dungeon, my friend and I stumbled across the Old Operating Theater, Museum and Herb Garret.It’s an amazing little hole in the wall place. There was no one there and we pretty much just wandered around, looking at all the herbs and medical displays. There was a big case with instruments and diary pages talking about amputations that was just awful. Then we went into the actual operating theater:wooden tables surrouned by a half-circle of curved bleachers for the students or other observers.It was all really interesting. Then, I looked closely at the table. I said “Ralph, are those saw cuts in the edge?” They were.They were really old marks. We decided it was time to go.
I’ve seen lots of photos from the Old Operating Theatre, but I’ve never been to London. I think recently they did perform an autopsy, or series of autopsies, that the public could view. That would have been amazing to see.
Amazing, but, having been in the space, I bet VERY disturbing.
Hey Marshall– thanks for the mention! I just went to the Wellcome Museum where there was more strange collections!
I have been to the Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret. The great thing is that it the docents seem to be pagan/goth women with a fine knowledge of the place as well as a passion for conserving it.
Many greusome details there…like the floor being insulated with sawdust to catch the blood which had been dripping on the pious who where in the church below…
So are you saying that the Old Operating Theatre is above a church? That’s one heck of a locational juxtaposition.