Phrenology cast of face of Varley, 1830-1835
Dublin Core
Title
Phrenology cast of face of Varley, 1830-1835
Subject
Boston Phrenological Society
Phrenology
Casts
Head
Abstract
Plaster phrenological cast of face of Varley, likely John Varley (1778-1842), an astrologer and painter. Cast is tan in color and shows closed eyes, nose, and mouth. Back of face is hollowed out. Cast rests on round pedestal base.
Creator
Unknown
Date Created
1830-1835, between
Rights
The Harvard Medical Library does not hold copyright on all the materials in the collection. For use information, contact the Warren Anatomical Museum Curator at chm@hms.harvard.edu
Access Rights
Accessing collections in the Warren Anatomical Museum and the Warren Anatomical Museum archive requires advanced notice. Please submit a request to Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu to access the displayed item
Is Part Of
Warren Anatomical Museum (WAM 03449)
Format
object
Extent
1 cast
Medium
castings (object genre)
Type
physical object
Identifier
WAM 03449
Provenance
This phrenological cast was likely created between 1830 and 1835 and was aquired by Dr. Johann Spurzheim (1776 – 1832) or the Boston Phrenological Society. Dr. Spurzheim, a leader in the study of phrenology, brought his knowledge and cast collection to America in 1832. After his death, the newly formed Boston Phrenological Society possessed his collection of skulls and casts. Dr. John Collins Warren purchased the collection in 1847 after the Society’s dissolution. In 1849, Dr. Warren took physical custody of the collection and temporarily transferred it to the ‘Mastodon Rooms’ on Chestnut Street before moving the collection to its intended permanent location in the new medical school building on North Grove Street. The phrenological collection was left in the basement of the old Medical School building on North Grove Street when the Medical College moved to a different building on Boylston Street in 1880. In 1911, the North Grove Street building was being demolished and the collection was almost destroyed. Dr. R. H. Fitz intervened and the collection was moved to the Administrative Building of the Harvard Medical School.
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Phrenology cast
Physical Dimensions
15.5 W x 15.5 D x 30 H cm
Files
Citation
Unknown, “Phrenology cast of face of Varley, 1830-1835,” OnView, accessed September 17, 2024, https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/index.php/items/show/18085.