A Roman Bronze and Iron Scalpel, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE

As can be seen by this fine example, ancient scalpels had almost the same form and function as those of today. The most ordinary type of scalpels in antiquity were longer, iron scalpels used to make a variety of incisions but particularly suited for deep or long cuts. This example features a short handle of finial style with a flat terminal and incised ring cast in bronze using the lost wax method, no doubt to help secure the ancient surgeon’s grip.  There is a straight blade slot at the end that is mounted with a long, leaf-shaped iron blade. Medium: Bronze, IronDimensions: Length: 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm) Condition:  Expected small losses to the edge of the blade; otherwise, the scalpel is intact and in very good condition overall. Presented on a museum-quality custom mount. Provenance: Private collection of a physician, assembled in the 1960s-1990s, thereafter private collection of Dr. James Tait Goodrich (1947 - 2020), Grandview-on-Hudson, NY, acquired from the NY trade in 2019. Jame