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Cupping

An unusual cupping set which is very small, having cups of only 28 and 32 mm in diameter.  The fully functional 4 blade scarificator measuring 15 x 30 x 40 mm is typical of a temple cupping set.  I have not seen cups of this shape before and I assume that the elongated configuration is by way of compensation for the small opening. If they were proportionately shaped they would not have enough capacity to draw sufficient blood. The syringe fits into the valved connector of both cups. Housed in the original red velvet lined case which measures the box measured 168 x 117 x 45 mm. Consistent with a date around the early 19th century.

An exceptionally rare 'Fox's Leech Glass Cupping Set' as shown in the Smithsonian book. The characteristic shape of the glass sets this aside from the usual form. In excellent condition throughout noting a missing brass cap to the burner , minor damage to one hinge and a repair to the box. The scarificator which has sharp pointed blades (an earlier variation) is by W B Hilliard who started business in the 1830's. The alcohol bottle is in perfect condition and is built into the set. It has a broken pontil in keeping with the set dating to 1850.

A fine 19th century cupping set by Charriere. The original suction pump, connecting tube and cups fit beautifully into their custom made housings. The cups and the suction syringe are marked "Charriere". The 8 bladed scarificator is in perfect working order and is of very high quality. It is unmarked, but almost certainly by the same maker. The dovetailed mahogany case has a lovely patina and the red sued lining is in excellent condition. All catches and hinges are original and in perfect working order. Size: 24.5 x 14.0 x 9.0 cm. Weight 1.45 kg

A 19th Century cupping set with a 12 blade brass scarificator signed Evans & Co. Below this is a hidden compartment housings a tray with three sets of reserve blades which can be lifted up by means of a harness.  There are four nested glass cups and a collapsible brass lamp with original wick. Housed in a red velvet lined mahogany case with unmarked bras escutcheon and the original key in perfect working order 95 x 95 x 265 mm

A dry cupping set consisting of three hand turned horn cups with brass tops, a syringe suction pump and connectors. Each of the cups fit the syringe perfectly using one of two connectors which are housed in a small compartment under the syringe with a lift off lid. Housed in a purple velvet lined mahogany box with smoothly working lock and key. The lid is signed in small writing "J Stevens" followed by characters which are not legible. The set dates from the the early to mid 19th century.

A 19th Century cupping set in an unusual decoratively embossed leather cylindrical case. The 12 blade brass scarificator is in perfect working order and has its original decorative glaze. The case also houses a crystal glass bottle with removable stopper, a single class scup and a brass lamp with original wick which sits under the scarificator. The  hinges and latches are in good working order. The case is lined with purple and olive velvet and measures 95 x 95 x 265 mm

An attractive late 19th century cupping set with four cups, a suction pump, connector and scarificator in a mahogany box. The centrally placed cup is a breast cup which was a common feature in French cupping sets. The cup on the right is not original to the set but is a seamless match. There is no makers mark on the instruments but this set French in origin and typical of the sets made by Charriere. The red leather lined lid of the box shows faint lettering and the top line is difficult to make out but the second line reads "Buenos Aires" which was where the set would have originally been retailed.

A 19th Century cupping set comprising of a cloth cover fitted box, three rows of matching cups in graduated sizes. A rounds brass 12 blade scarificator in perfect working condition and a brass lamp with original wick. A superb and complete example, all in excellent condition. The box dimensions are: Height 75 mm Width 325 mm Depth 200 mm

A brass European cupping lamp from the 18th Century with two bronze cups. These pieces would have made up part of a cupping set with various lancets and scarificators as shown in the example from History of Medicine Museum in Florence (Picture from the German edition of "Histoire de la Médicine, de la Pharmacie, de l´Art Dentaire et de l´Art Vétérinaire"). A similar set can also be seen in the Josephinum Museum in Vienna.

A delicate glass cupping instrument from Afghanistan dating to the first centuries of the Islam Era around 10-12 AD. The glass cup shown in the last picture can be seen here It is on display in the Louvre and is on file as "Ventouse médicale. Verre soufflé, Iran premiers siècles de l'Islam". (Cupping glass. Blown glass, Iran, first centuries of the Islam era.)

Lancet Cases

A late 18th or early 19th century French sharkskin lancet case with studded decorations. The inner section is lined with green paper and the lids with decorated motifs. Inside are 6 translucent horn lancets. These tools of the trade would be de rigueur for a physician doing house calls to his patients at a time when blood letting was common practice.

A hallmarked silver thumb lancet case which would have been carried by a 19th century physician to bleed his patients. Made by Joseph Taylor and John Perry in 1830. The case is finely worked with a geometrical design and has a cartouche on one side engraved with the letters "J C". The hinge and latch mechanism are in excellent condition. The lancets show signed of oxidation and three are signed Macleod. There is some age related damage to interior wooden carcass which is difficult to see and of little consequence. The silver body hinge and latch are in excellent condition.

Shagreen Silver Lancet Case 18th Century

A high quality early 18th century shagreen lancet case. Fine heavy silver banding and with a silver catch engraved with concentric rings. The lid and hinge close with a firm secure click. There are four horn thumb lancets, unusually of two different sizes. All with engraved matching rivets consistent with early 18th century work, three of which are engraved "Looker". It is of a slightly larger than usual size measuring 80 x 40 x 18 mm

A fine tortoise shell lancet case of Chinese origin hand carved to a very high standard. The scene shows various figures on a backdrop of a straw hut with rich foliage and a staircase winding down to the waters edge, where other figures are sitting. The cartouche is engraved 'JH'. This lovely piece dates to the early 19th century. In excellent condition throughout as are the two matching tortoise shell lancets one of which is signed Millikin London. Dimensions 72 x 45 x 15 mm.

A fine and rare lancet case with four ivory shielded lancets. It is most unusual to find ivory lancets and this is also the first example I have seen of a Mauchline ware lancet case. It has been beautifully and painstakingly carved and has a lovely mellow patina. There are no makers marks on the case or the lancets. Dates to the early 19th Century and remains in excellent condition.

A superb silver gilt lancet case dating to the mid 19th century. Ornately carved and with French Hallmarks on the lid and body (which are hard to read). The lancets are also of superior quality, made of mother of pearl and with gold rivets.

A beautiful solid silver lancet case hallmarked from 1805 and initialled "GS" by the maker George Smith. The case is ornately carved and in excellent condition, the hinge is sound and the latch closes firmly. Containing six tortoise shell thumb lancets in good condition, two 'Evans London", two 'Weiss London' One 'Maw & Son', one unsigned. A rare museum quality piece. Dimensions 68 x 43 x 18 mm

A fine 1770 tortoise shell lancet case with ornate silver trim with six thumb lancets The case is in excellent condition and is studded with tiny sterling silver pins. There are 3 engraved sterling silver studs above the hinge and 3 more below. The top of the lid has a sterling silver cartouche, engraved with the initials ’JEM’. The tortoise shell lancets are marked 'Aitken of York' 'Millikin', 'Durrock' and 'Maw & Son'. Dimensions 75 x 45 x 13 mm.

A fine solid silver lancet case hallmarked from 1823 and initialled "JL" by the maker John Lias. The case is in excellent condition with one or two barely discernible marks (see photos). The hinge is sound and the latch closes firmly. The six tortoise shell lancets are in good condition with one showing the 1mm erosion. They are signed, Rodgers, Hutchinson, Norris Hilliard and Still. A rare museum quality piece. Dimensions 70 x 44 x15 mm

A beautiful French round etui with inlaid ivory ring and top ivory inset which contains 6 tortoise shell lancets. The lancets are made of blonde tortoise shell and are all in good condition although the handle to one pair is slightly nibbled. In keeping with many French sets one of the lancets is of the vaccinating type. They are stamped by various makers. There are two barely discernible  hairline cracks on the lid (which can be seen in the pictures) of no structural significance and which are mentioned for the sake of completeness.

An ornately engraved silver etui marked "SGBH" on each section. The rarer bi-valve hinged case opens to reveal two white metal lancets both in excellent condition marked "Anderson and Dodds Birmingham". The case and hinges close securely and are in excellent condition. Dimensions 68 x 18 x 8 mm

18th Century horn thumb lancet marked "Charrier" enclosed in a delightful leather etui/purse which closes with a brass clip fastener. Dimensions 72 x 23 x 6 mm

Scarificators

A rare and early example of Tiemann's oblique cutting scarificator with horn handle in its original box. The blades are curved in two dimensions which was said to produce more copious bleeding. The scarification is primed by pulling the screw at the end of the handle and released by pressing the trigger on the dorsal aspect of the handle. The depth of the cut is altered by the central screw on the body. Marked "G Tiemanns patent. 20 Oct 1846". As shown in figure 1650 P 115 of Tiemann's American Armemantarium Chirurgicum. There is also a picture of a later version on P 99 of "American Surgical Instruments" by James Edmonson.

A rare American square brass scarificator by Leypoldt with his patented mechanism (dates to 1851) allowing significant reduction in the height of the instrument and making it considerably less bulky. Signed F Leypoldt Phila. In perfect working order.

A fine scarificator set by W Smith. The maroon leather box is in excellent condition and has a central silver cartouche reads 'W H Ackland'. Inside two velvet lined compartments accommodate a 10 blade octagonal brass scarificator and a 4 blade temple scarificator signed W Smith. Both are in perfect working order. The lid is lined with green crushed velvet and the central yellow label reads " W Smith Surgical Instrument & Trufs Maker. 2 New Street East End of St Thomas's Street Southwark London. Late of St Saviours Church Yard" which date the set to between 1831 and 1847.

A typically square early to late 18th early 19th century 16 bladed scarificator by Kolb, a reputable instrument maker from Vienna and signed Kolb Wien. The blades are primed by pulling the top lever and released with the catch on the side. The depth of cut is altered by a central screw on the top surface. It comes its black leather leather case with the Kolb crest and with a decorative golden embossed design along its edges. In perfect working order.

A beautiful scarificator marked 'Kolb' in its original embossed box dating to the late 18th early 19th century. Kolb of Vienna specialised in phlebotomy instruments and these rare pieces are much sought after. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism works well, but there is no 'cock' mechanism as commonly seen in 19th C scarificators and this in conjunction with the pointed blades is an indication of its earlier origins.

An octagonal brass four blade temple scarificator in its Moroccan leather case. Temple scarificators are much smaller than the usual form and much less common. The case measures 48 x 38 x36 mm. Unsigned but of good build quality. There is a central screw on the dorsal surface which alters the depth of the cut. In perfect working order.

An octagonal brass scarificator with 12 rounded blades in excellent working condition in its original box which is marked with Eastern block writing. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. The letters "XX" are engraved on one side.

A square brass scarificator with 16 rounded blades in excellent working condition and probably of Viennese origin. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. The makers mark "Garantirt" is engraved on one side.

An octagonal brass scarificator with 12 rounded blades in excellent working condition. The original brass lacquered finish is still present. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. The makers mark "Savigny" is engraved on one side.

A 19th Century octagonal nickel plated brass silver scarificator with 8 rounded blades in excellent working condition. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. The makers mark "W. & H Hutchinson Sheffield" is engraved on one side.

An octagonal German silver scarificator with 12 rounded blades in excellent working condition. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. There is no makers mark.

An early brass French 12 bladed scarificator signed Galante dating to the 19th century. It is of superior quality to the nickel plated variety and unusually comes in its own velvet lined leather case. The blades are primed by turning the central key and released by pushing the trigger on the side. The depth of the cut can be varied by turning the base which is attached d to a screw mechanism.

A high quality round French scarificator with 12 rounded blades. The blades have some rust in keeping with its age but the scarificator remains in good working condition. The depth of cut is adjusted by turning the screwed base. The mechanism cocks halfway. There is no makers mark.

An round nickel plated brass French scarificator with 8 rounded blades in excellent working condition. The depth of cut is adjusted by turning the screwed base. The mechanism cocks halfway. There is no makers mark. There are concentric rings engraved on the top side.

A round brass French scarificator with 6 rounded blades in excellent working condition. The depth of cut is adjusted by turning the screwed base. The mechanism cocks halfway. The makers mark "Orthos" is engraved on the key.

An earlier mid 19th century round French scarificator with 10 rounded blades in excellent working condition. The depth of cut is adjusted by turning the screwed base. The mechanism cocks halfway. There is no makers mark. The metal body of the scarificator has crosshatched engraving.

Spring Lancets and Fleams and Sticks

The lancet has not been cleaned and is in excellent working condition. There is sparse leather covering left on the case (7x3.5cm) which is material lined. Apart from the absence of the leather hinge the box itself is in solid condition and the latch remains intact.

Embossed leather case  (7x4cm) is inscribed "Traŭnichtesbeißt" which translated literally from German reads "Do not trust it bites". The inside is suede lined and ornately embroidered, but with signs of ageing. The lancet has not been cleaned and is in excellent working condition.

 The leather case is inscribed "Traŭnichtesbeißt" which translated literally from German reads "Do not trust it bites". The inside is suede lined and ornately embroidered, but with signs of ageing. The lancet has delicate floral engraving on one side.   It has not been cleaned and is in excellent working condition. A similar piece  from c 1700 is shown on page 49 of Elisabeth Bennion's book Antique Medical Instruments.

A larger than usual (although definitely for human use) spring lancet which has not been cleaned and is in excellent working condition. The leather covered wooded case (6x11cm) is in good condition but with signs of ageing.

A superb horn handles three bladed fleam in excellent condition. The handle is marked "G.R." and stamped "1815". Two of the blades are stamped "W. Longden Cast Steel". In fine condition throughout. Dimensions 8.4 x 2.8 cm

A fine brass and steel fleam with two blades and a lancet (unmarked). The brass sheath is closes fully around the blade edges. It comes in its original and are ornately embossed leather case. In excellent condition noting some wear to the case in keeping with its age. Dimensions 11.0 x 3.5 cm

An unusual fleam with a carved horn handle which fits the contour of the blade (these were usually made from brass). The single heavy blade has a reinforced guard over the blunt end and is marked "Maw & Son" who were in business from 1860 to 1870. In superb condition. Length 9.5 x 3.7 cm

A very nice antique horn and brass fleam with three steel blades signed Wharton on each blade. The blades are in perfect condition as is the horn handle which has a lovely patina on both sides. Dimensions 90 x 30 x 12 mm

A 19th century bleeding stick or "knocker". These were used by veterinary surgeons literally to knock the blade of a fleam through an animals hide. The stick is made from a light hard wood and shows signs of wear where the wood would have hit the fleam. 21.6 x 4.5 cm.

General Bleeding Items

Dr Baron Charles Louis Heurteloup (1793 - 1864) invented an artificial leech which was named after him. These were often used to bleed sensitive areas around the eyes or temples. After the cut had been made the glass tube would be placed over it and the wing nut turned to create a vacuum in the tube which would draw up the blood. More commonly they have a short scarifier which works by pulling back and releasing a sprung lancet, or a string mechanism for rotating a circular knife. This one also uses a circular knife but is unusual in that the mechanism for doing so is the withdrawing or advancing the piston.

An artificial leech by Chr Schmidt made from turned aluminium, brass and cork. The aluminium would have been a rare and valuable material in its day. It comes in the original maroon velvet lined leather case which is missing the scarifier. Nonetheless an extremely uncommon and highly collectable instrument of phlebotomy.

An early 19th century leech tube from Holland, purchased from an elderly doctor whose great grandfather had used this same instrument. Made from eccentrically blown turquoise glass the tube is open at both ends. The smaller end allows enough ventilation for the leech to breathe. The wider end would be sealed with a cork when in transit and this would be removed and the glass placed over the skin in order to direct the leech. They were applied to various places, depending on ailment which needed a cure; the face, eyes, temples, trunk, limbs, as well as more sensitive regions.

The practice of bleeding whilst common, was not done indiscriminately. 18th and 19th century physicians held great store by the correct application of leeches in different circumstance, for different condition. So for example the number of leeches and the method and site of application would be different when treating an iritis than it would be for pelvic pain. Leeches could be directed to small areas such as the mouth, eyes, ear, or vagina, by placing them in a small receptacle called a "leech tube". Despite being used frequently, perhaps because of their unremarkable in appearance and fragility, few have survived. This one was discovered in the bottom of a mid 19th C apothecary chest, fortunately in perfect condition.

A nice 18th century pewter bleeding bowl with graduated markings from 2 to 16 fl oz on the inside so as to measure the amount of blood taken. The bowl has been well used and it will have seen many bleedings and no doubt could tell us a good few stories. It measures 13 cm in diameter

A lovely two handled pewter bowl or porringer. The handles are decorated in a typically European style and the bowl probably dates to the early 19th century. It has an unidentified makers make on the base. These vessels were multifunctional used mostly for eating but may also have been used for collecting blood during the practice of phlebotomy

Leech Jars

A burgundy Staffordshire leech jar by Samuel Alcock circa 1840. The lid has multiple perforations so as to allow the leeches to breathe. The striking and colourful design make these much sought after, more so because relatively few of these have survived to the current day. Unsigned (as is commonly the case) and in excellent condition but with some fading of the gilding in keeping with its age. These would of be part of a set of three with accompanying honey and tamarind jars.