Object Identification
- Object name: Phrenology head
- Date: 1824
- Origin: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Maker: O’Neil & Sons
- Measurements: 32 cm x 14 cm
- Materials: Plaster, paint
Object Summary
Phrenology heads were very popular in the Victorian era and is the now discredited system for analysing the human skull. The shape of the head was thought to provide an insight into a person’s characteristics and personality traits. Death masks were often made of criminals to determine if they shared certain characteristics according to their skull shape to explain why they committed crimes. This particular head is simply inscribed with the word ‘Girl’ and had a large portion of the head and face missing prior to treatment, as well as two broken off sherds that required reattaching. After surface cleaning, a 3D scan was taken to recreate and 3D print the missing side of the face so a mould to be taken, giving a basis for the missing piece to be recreated in plaster.
This object was conserved by Jo Bowen. Find out more about her by clicking on the profile below!
Jo Bowen
