Items Similar to Early 19th c. Porcelain Phrenology Stamp/Pipe Stamper c.1820
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
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:Seller: SKU 1161stDibs: LU1280238768102
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2014
1stDibs seller since 2015
1,295 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: San Francisco, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllEarly 19th c. Hitchcock or Fancy Chair c.1820-1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An early to mid 19th century rustic Hitchcock chair with original painted, black wood finish with gold floral detail and original intact, rush seat.
CREATOR Unknown.
...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Rustic Side Chairs
Materials
Rush, Pine, Paint
$875 Sale Price
45% Off
Early-Mid 19th c. Hand Painted Slant Cabinet/Desk, c.1820-1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
Early to mid 19th century hand painted slant front desk with a lift top, large interior space with three drawers and brass knobs. The lower section has a hinged door with prim...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Rustic Cabinets
Materials
Brass
$1,295 Sale Price
31% Off
19th c. Rustic French Farmhouse Table c.1820-1880
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A rustic rustic farmhouse table. Two large front drawers with ample storage. Pegged construction visible on the top and on all four tapered legs. The top consists of two wide ...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Rustic Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
$2,895 Sale Price
20% Off
19th c. Rustic Farmhouse Table with Large Drawer c.1820-1880
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A rustic farmhouse table with turned legs and distressed, painted base. One large, deep front drawer with ample storage. The top consists of three wide planks of wood. Large p...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Rustic Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
$2,895 Sale Price
20% Off
19th/early 20th c. Bronze and Copper Pitcher
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique solid bronze pitcher with handle, copper insert and copper base. The pitcher is weighted with a round lead piece underneath.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFA...
Category
Antique 19th Century More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Bronze, Copper
$195 Sale Price
22% Off
Late 19th/Early 20th century Copper Pot
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique copper pot or saucepan with two handles. 19th-early 20th century.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1880-1920.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Copper Plat...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Bowls
Materials
Copper
$260 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Antique Old Paris Porcelain Inkwell, Early 19th Century
By Old Paris
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 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
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Bone Stamp, 18th-19th Century
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Chinese bone stamp, 18th-19th century
Measures: H. 7 W. 10 cm
H. 2.7 W. 3.9 in.
Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Paperweights
Materials
Bone
Early 19th Century Standish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An 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
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the Side
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the Side.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Inkwells
Materials
Porcelain
A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp
A Dutch silver seal wax stamp from the 19th century. A seal stamp showing the Coat of Arms with a crowned shield divided into three sections. The stamp dates before 1893. The stamp is hallmarked with the dolphin in triangle, used between 1893-1906 for non-guaranteed native objects (gilde hallmark). Afterwards marked again later in the 20th century with ZII for the silver purity 833/1000.
Signets or called cachets, wax seal stamps, are stamps that were worn on a silver watch chain...
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch More Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Rare Early 19th Century George IV English Porcelain Inkwell by Coalport
By Coalbrookdale Foundry
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Rare early 19th century George IV English porcelain inkwell by Coalport in the naturalistic form. Referred to as ‘Coalbrookdale’ this piece has been modeled in the form of a lemon fr...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Rare Stamps
English Stamp
Rare Antique Stamps
Early 19th Century New York
Antique Date Stamp
Pipe Antique
Reading Desk
English Porcelain Early 19th Century
Antique Letter Stamps
Decorative Journal
Early American Porcelain
Antique Brain
Letter Porcelain
Antique Organs
1887 Porcelain
Music Desk
Franz Joseph
English Library Desk