Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Atribb. A.L. Vago London, C.1870

About the Item

19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Attributed to A.L. Vago London. C 1870 This diminutive plaster Phrenology head, attributed to A.L. Vago London circa 1870, stands as a fascinating relic of 19th-century pseudoscience. Measuring 6 inches in height, 3 inches in width, and 3 inches in depth, this piece features an incised 'Phrenology' label on the frontal bust, exploring unnamed divisions of the brain. Phrenology, a now-discredited theory pioneered by Franz Joseph Gall, aimed to map mental faculties based on skull bumps and indentations. It diverged from craniometry, which analyzed skull characteristics, and physiognomy, the study of facial features. Despite lacking scientific backing, phrenologists proclaimed it the sole true science of the mind. This artifact encapsulates an era when such beliefs held sway, highlighting the persistence of ideas even when devoid of empirical evidence. While unmarked, this artifact encapsulates an era when Phrenology was believed to unveil insights into human nature, serving as a testament to the evolving understanding of the human mind and its intriguing historical context.
  • Attributed to:
    Vago (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Style:
    High Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Plaster,Engraved,Polychromed
  • Place of Origin:
    England
  • Period:
    19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    West Palm Beach, FL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: SDHU5T12011stDibs: LU2592337297382

More From This Seller

View All
Pair of 19th Century Scottish Monogramed Hardwood Lawn Balls
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th Century Scottish Monogrammed Hardwood Lawn Balls  A pair of 19th-century Scottish monogrammed hardwood lawn balls. Each ball, measuring 5 inches in diameter, is crafted...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Scottish High Victorian Sports Equipment and M...

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of 19th Century Scottish Monogramed Hardwood Lawn Balls

Pair of 19th Century Scottish Monogramed Hardwood Lawn Balls

$416 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Diminutive Bronze & Marble Portrait Bust of Franz Liszt
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Diminutive Bronze & Marble Portrait Bust of Franz Liszt Germany, Late 19th Century A splendid bronze bust of famed composer Franz Liszt in...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Austrian High Victorian Busts

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Diminutive Bronze & Marble Portrait Bust of Franz Liszt

19th Century Diminutive Bronze & Marble Portrait Bust of Franz Liszt

$476 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century English Sterling Steer Snuff Box, London 1862
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century English Sterling Steer Snuff Box, London, 1862  With numerous hallmarks, including the Maker's Mark of 'BM' For aficionados of 19th-century English silver, we are pleas...
Category

Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century English Sterling Steer Snuff Box, London 1862

19th Century English Sterling Steer Snuff Box, London 1862

$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C American Marbleized Slate Chess Board
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C American marbleized slate chess board, resembling fine marble inlay., in the neoclassical style. With a two inch geometric border, and a ten inch...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century North American Neoclassical Games

Materials

Slate

19th C American Marbleized Slate Chess Board

19th C American Marbleized Slate Chess Board

$716 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Civil War (Post) Inlaid Framed Shell Confederate Flag Collage
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Civil War (Post) Inlaid Framed Shell Confederate Flag Collage USA, Likely Crafted Post-Civil War This remarkable 19th-century framed shellwork collage is a masterful e...
Category

Antique 19th Century American Victorian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Shell, Satin, Glass, Walnut

19th Century Civil War (Post) Inlaid Framed Shell Confederate Flag Collage

19th Century Civil War (Post) Inlaid Framed Shell Confederate Flag Collage

$3,850
19th Century French Gothic Cathedral Giltwood & Glass Reliquary / Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French gothic cathedral giltwood & glass reliquary / vitrine France, mid-19th century. A reliquary is a container for the display an...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Gothic Revival Religious Items

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

19th Century French Gothic Cathedral Giltwood & Glass Reliquary / Vitrine

19th Century French Gothic Cathedral Giltwood & Glass Reliquary / Vitrine

$3,080 Sale Price
46% Off

You May Also Like

19th Century Plaster Phrenology Bust by Vago of London, 1869
By Vago
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A tactile plaster cast phrenology head, primitively produced yet highly decorative and a obvious rare survivor. A inscribed label of the maker Vago alo...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Paper

19th Century Plaster Phrenology Bust by Vago of London, 1869

19th Century Plaster Phrenology Bust by Vago of London, 1869

$1,374
19th C Scientific James DeVille L N Fowler Phrenology Plaster Bust Head Curio
By L. N. Fowler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A larger than the normal plaster cast phrenology head, with its original painted finish and paper labels. The original makers label is partially missing leaving it a bit of a myster...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

19th C Scientific James DeVille L N Fowler Phrenology Plaster Bust Head Curio

19th C Scientific James DeVille L N Fowler Phrenology Plaster Bust Head Curio

$2,065
19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire
Located in High Point, NC
19th century chestnut miniature armoire from France. This is a wonderful piece of craftmanship, with a lovely crown following down to a case which is entirely raised panelled and peg...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Chestnut

19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire

19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire

$5,950
Contemporary Pharmaceutical (Paxipam) Phrenology Bust / Head Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool contemporary pharmaceutical (Paxipam) phrenology bust / head paperweight, circa 2000s. The model is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W x2.5"D x 4.5"H.. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Pharmaceutical (Paxipam) Phrenology Bust / Head Paperweight

Contemporary Pharmaceutical (Paxipam) Phrenology Bust / Head Paperweight

$250
19th Century Horse Pipe Head
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This 19th century briar wood pipe head takes the form of a horses head. The whole sculpture is finely detailed and it has a great expression.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Victorian Animal Sculptures

19th Century Horse Pipe Head

19th Century Horse Pipe Head

$348
19th Century Santos Head
Located in London, GB
19th Century Santos Head We are proud to offer a rare example of a religious 19th Century hand carved Santos head. With polychrome paint still intact in...
Category

Antique 1850s French Edwardian Religious Items

Materials

Pine

19th Century Santos Head

19th Century Santos Head

$2,341

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Skull Bust
Phrenology Head
Pierre Cardin Ceramic
Pierre Chapo S11
Pierre Garnier
Pierre Guariche Tonneau
Pierre Jeanneret Committee Chair
Pierre Paulin Yellow
Pilot Chair
Pink Glass Ice Bucket
Pink Suzani Throw
Plano Folding Table Giancarlo Piretti
Plano Folding Table
Platform Rocking Chair
Platner Chair And Ottoman
Platner Dining Table Base
Platner Marble Table
Playing Card Holder
View All Popular Scientific Instruments Searches