Chinese carved ivory diagnostic doll on a wooden mount, 19th century. Chinese tradition forbade women from undergoing a physical examination or mentioning parts of her body to a male physician. Women from wealthy families used dolls such as this to show where their symptoms were. Although otherwise naked this beautiful example wears earings, a moveable bangle and, of course, bound feet in tiny shoes.
- Object numberS179
- Creator
- Production placeChina
- Date1800 - 1899
- Object name
- Material
- Credit line“Accepted from Jean Symons under the Cultural Gifts Scheme by HM Government and allocated to the RCP, 2018”