biomedicalephemera:
Plaster model of executed Chinese...
Plaster model of executed Chinese pirate
The neck stump of this executed Yangzee River pirate is surprisingly accurate for what was probably a sideshow prop. The cervical spine, blood vessels, muscles, trachea, and esophagus are all visible.
The muscular nature of the esophagus is highly visible here. You can also see the hardness of the trachea.
The donation of this model to the Science Museum London came with little accompanying information, but it is known that it was produced in England, between 1910 and 1922. The braid is real human hair, and the plaster and finish is of a high quality. Given its “blood-splattered” carrying case, it was most likely a prop in a traveling sideshow.
Images via Science Museum London.
