LONDON SHAGREEN SILVER MOUNTED POCKET LANCET CASE AND LANCETS

$475.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 30-2185

A very pretty pocket surgical case containing four lancets. This case is covered with green shagreen, a leather usually made from shark or stingray, and mounted with a silver bottom, lid, and hinge. The top bears rectangular escutcheon with rounded ends engraved with the owner’s initials in script, apparently a “TR,” in a style suggesting the late 1700s or very early 1800s. Lancets were used for blood-letting well into the 1800s, but they might be used for surgery as well. The instruments are marked “Lynch & Co. / London.” The company was still in business around 1890, but we do not know when it was established.

The lancets are double edged spear point blades with maker’s stamps on the thumb-shaped ricasso, likely shaped that way for better control. The handles are separate slabs or tortoise shell that pivot freely and are in good condition. The blades are mainly in the bright, though with a few brown stains.

Lancets were usually used in blood-letting for people, versus veterinary practice, which seems have used fleams with right-angle blades. The practice was continued well into the nineteenth century though the blades could be used for minor surgery as well and the well-known British medical journal “The Lancet” (begun in 1823) retains that name to this day. This is a pretty cased set in excellent condition with nice period engraving that would add to a medical display or an early surgeon’s effects. The variety and elegant decoration of the small cases also makes them an attractive category of collecting in and of themselves. [sr]

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