Items Similar to Early 19th c. Porcelain Phrenology Stamp/Pipe Stamper c.1820 (FREE SHIPPING)
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Early 19th c. Porcelain Phrenology Stamp/Pipe Stamper c.1820 (FREE SHIPPING)
About the Item
ABOUT
A 19th-century English porcelain letter seal in the form of a phrenological head. The areas of the skull numerically demarcated with the key surrounding the neck. Gilt accent around the neck and mounted on a brass base.
A rare English porcelain phrenology head pipe tamper or seal with information of the "Science" written in fine script. The modelling and quality of the piece is exceptional. Phrenology was a science of character divination, faculty psychology, theory of brain and what the 19th-century phrenologists called "the only true science of mind." Phrenology came from the theories of the idiosyncratic Viennese physician Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828).
CREATOR L.N. Fowler, London, UK.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850s.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Porcelain.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Chip on the right side of the nose.
DIMENSIONS H 3.5 in. W 1.25 in. D 12.5 in.
HISTORY
The phrenology head seen here provided a three-dimensional reference guide to direct the reading of a subject’s skull. It was marketed by L. N. Fowler & Co., the phrenological enterprise of the American brothers Lorenzo Niles Fowler (1811-1896) and Orson S. Fowler (1809-1887). The Fowlers first took to the road in 1834, lecturing for free and examining heads for a fee. In the next year they opened an office in New York City, where they operated a phrenological museum and library, the publishing house of L.N Fowler & Co., and a lecture booking bureau. Their American Phrenological Journal and Life Illustrated, which lasted until 1911, soon emerged as the leading phrenological publication.
Phrenology appeared on the American scene in 1832 when Johann Kaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832) arrived in New York to begin a speaking tour. His popular lectures presented the teachings of Viennese physician Franz-Joseph Gall (1758-1828), who proposed the concept of localized brain function. According to Gall, the different functions of the brain, such as memory, language, emotion, the ability to recognize faces, perform calculations, and appreciate music, were situated in specific sites or “organs” of the brain. Gall contended that each “organ” of the brain would hypertrophy (grow) or atrophy (shrink) with use, and that these changes would be perceptible on the surface contour of the skull. Consequently, one could assess different abilities and personality traits by “reading” the surface bumps on the skull. Gall never approved of the term phrenology; he called his system organology and later simply the physiology of the brain. Spurzheim, however, used the term phrenology and it stuck.
- Dimensions:Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1820
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2014
1stDibs seller since 2015
1,143 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Early 19th-Early 20th C. Copper Adding Machine C.1887-1920 (FREE SHIPPING)Located in San Francisco, CAAbout An antique Comptometer copper and tin adding machine with yellow and green Bakelite buttons and original metal name tag, manufactures tag and side decorations. The lever somew...Category
Early 20th Century Industrial More Desk Accessories
MaterialsMetal
- Early 20th C. Copper and Bakelite Adding Machine c.1904-1922 (FREE SHIPPING)Located in San Francisco, CAAbout An antique Comptometer copper and tin adding machine with yellow and green Bakelite buttons. The lever pulls forward and back working the inner mechanisms. The piece has retai...Category
Early 20th Century Industrial More Desk Accessories
MaterialsCopper, Tin
- Antique Wooden Dovetail Office Tray c.1930 (FREE SHIPPING)Located in San Francisco, CAABOUT An antique wooden office tray constructed with dovetail joints. This piece has retained its original finish and has the appropriate patina for the age and use. CREATOR Un...Category
Early 20th Century Desk Sets
MaterialsWood
- 19th-Early 20th c. Framed Surgical Instruments Lithographs (FREE SHIPPING)Located in San Francisco, CAABOUT A pair of original lithographs of surgical instruments for lithotomy. The artwork has been framed with grey matte. CREATOR Engraved ...Category
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Antique Stenograph with Original Case/Manual, circa 1930 (FREE SHIPPING)By The Stenotype Co. 1Located in San Francisco, CAAbout: This is an original Stenotype stenograph with Bakelite keys and original case and manual. All the keys work properly but doesn't seem to imprint on the paper. Creator: Steno...Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial More Desk Accessories
MaterialsSteel
- Antique Army Green Stenograph with Original Case c.1918 (FREE SHIPPING)By The Stenotype Co. 1Located in San Francisco, CAABOUT This is an original Master Model Four Stenotype stenograph from La Salle University with Bakelite keys, original case and original labels. Leather handle on the case. All th...Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial More Desk Accessories
MaterialsSteel
You May Also Like
- Shipping Free, 19th Century Silvered Bronze Inkstand Signed Boin Taburet, ParisBy Boin-TaburetLocated in Lisse, NLLouis XV style inkstand with chinoiserie design, lacquered top. This rare and stylish inkstand is a work of the house Boin-Taburet, goldsmith in Paris. This impressive size inkstand...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Sheffield and Silverplate
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Antique Old Paris Porcelain Inkwell, Early 19th CenturyBy Old ParisLocated in LOS ANGELES, CAAntique early 19C Old Paris Porcelain Inkwell Additional information: Materials: Porcelain Color: Gold Brand: Old Paris Designer: Old Paris Period: ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Inkwells
MaterialsPorcelain
- Chinese Bone Stamp, 18th-19th CenturyLocated in Aalsgaarde, DKChinese bone stamp, 18th-19th century Measures: H. 7 W. 10 cm H. 2.7 W. 3.9 in.Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Paperweights
MaterialsBone
- 19th Century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the SideLocated in Marbella, ES19th century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the Side.Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Inkwells
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early 19th Century StandishLocated in Westwood, NJAn early 19th century English gilt bronze desk set Standish with handle, cartouche mount, and unusual shell form feet.Category
Antique 19th Century English Queen Anne Desk Sets
MaterialsBronze
- Early 19th Century Hand Painted Porcelain & Brass Inkwell, Paris, 1839Located in San Francisco, CAEarly 19th century hand painted porcelain & brass inkwell, Paris 1839 A fine hand made porcelain inkwell by Medaille D'Argent Hand painted floral motif surround the inkwell Two side by side quill...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Inkwells
MaterialsPorcelain