Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 8

Early 19th c. Porcelain Phrenology Stamp/Pipe Stamper c.1820

Price:$1,095

About the Item

ABOUT A 19th-century English porcelain letter seal in the form of a phrenological head. The areas of the skull numerically demarcated with the key surrounding the neck. Gilt accent around the neck and mounted on a brass base. A rare English porcelain phrenology head pipe tamper or seal with information of the "Science" written in fine script. The modelling and quality of the piece is exceptional. Phrenology was a science of character divination, faculty psychology, theory of brain and what the 19th-century phrenologists called "the only true science of mind." Phrenology came from the theories of the idiosyncratic Viennese physician Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828). CREATOR L.N. Fowler, London, UK. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850s. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Porcelain. CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Chip on the right side of the nose. DIMENSIONS H 3.5 in. W 1.25 in. D 12.5 in. HISTORY The phrenology head seen here provided a three-dimensional reference guide to direct the reading of a subject’s skull. It was marketed by L. N. Fowler Co., the phrenological enterprise of the American brothers Lorenzo Niles Fowler (1811-1896) and Orson S. Fowler (1809-1887). The Fowlers first took to the road in 1834, lecturing for free and examining heads for a fee. In the next year they opened an office in New York City, where they operated a phrenological museum and library, the publishing house of L.N Fowler Co., and a lecture booking bureau. Their American Phrenological Journal and Life Illustrated, which lasted until 1911, soon emerged as the leading phrenological publication. Phrenology appeared on the American scene in 1832 when Johann Kaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832) arrived in New York to begin a speaking tour. His popular lectures presented the teachings of Viennese physician Franz-Joseph Gall (1758-1828), who proposed the concept of localized brain function. According to Gall, the different functions of the brain, such as memory, language, emotion, the ability to recognize faces, perform calculations, and appreciate music, were situated in specific sites or “organs” of the brain. Gall contended that each “organ” of the brain would hypertrophy (grow) or atrophy (shrink) with use, and that these changes would be perceptible on the surface contour of the skull. Consequently, one could assess different abilities and personality traits by “reading” the surface bumps on the skull. Gall never approved of the term phrenology; he called his system organology and later simply the physiology of the brain. Spurzheim, however, used the term phrenology and it stuck.

Dimensions:
Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Gold,Porcelain
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1820
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages.
Seller Location:
San Francisco, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: SKU 1161stDibs: LU1280238768102

Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

An Early 19th Century Paris Porcelain Inkstand

$2,250

H 11 in W 14 in D 9.5 in

Chinese Bone Stamp, 18th-19th Century

Located in Aalsgaarde, DK

Chinese bone stamp, 18th-19th century Measures: H. 7 W. 10 cm H. 2.7 W. 3.9 in.

Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Paperweights

Materials

Bone

Chinese Bone Stamp, 18th-19th Century

$721

H 2.76 in W 3.94 in D 1.58 in

19th Century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the Side

Located in Marbella, ES

19th century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the Side.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Austrian Porcelain Inkwell with Tray with Stamp on the Side

$1,443

H 1.19 in W 8.08 in D 6.7 in

A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp

Located in Delft, NL

A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp A Dutch silver seal wax stamp from the 19th century. A seal stamp showing the Coat of Arms with a crowned shield divided into three sections. The stamp dates before 1893. The stamp is hallmarked with the dolphin in triangle, used between 1893-1906 for non-guaranteed native objects (gilde hallmark). Afterwards marked again later in the 20th century with ZII for the silver purity 833/1000. Signets or called cachets, wax seal stamps, are stamps that were worn on a silver watch chain...

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch More Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp

$956

H 1.38 in W 1.03 in D 0.83 in

Rare Early 19th Century George IV English Porcelain Inkwell by Coalport

By Coalbrookdale Foundry

Located in Dublin 8, IE

Rare early 19th century George IV English porcelain inkwell by Coalport in the naturalistic form. Referred to as ‘Coalbrookdale’ this piece has been modeled in the form of a lemon fr...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Early 19th Century George IV English Porcelain Inkwell by Coalport

$2,104

H 4 in W 6.5 in D 6.25 in

Marmo Gialo and Bronze Stamp Box, 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

Italian Grand Tour stamp box, 19th century.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Desk Sets

Materials

Siena Marble

Marmo Gialo and Bronze Stamp Box, 19th Century

$1,200

H 1.75 in W 5.5 in D 2.38 in

Metal Stamp with Wooden Handle, Italy, 19th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Metal stamp with wooden handle exhibited at the congress and systematic exhibition on Italian Risorgimento Art. Text of the stamp General secretariat o...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Metal Stamp with Wooden Handle, Italy, 19th Century

$962

H 3.94 in Dm 1.58 in

French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A beautiful and exceptionally high quality French early 19th century Louis XV st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, signed Sèvres. The inkwell is raised by striking pierced scrolled foliate ormolu movements in a most decorative satin and burnished finished. At the center is the finely detailed Sèvres Porcelain tray...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell

$19,800

H 4.75 in W 11.25 in D 8.75 in

Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Small round pewter plate with London and makers mark on the rear side.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Empire Platters and Serveware

Materials

Pewter

Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate

$276 Sale Price

20% Off

H 0.75 in Dm 9.75 in

Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier

Located in London, GB

An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform base ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier

$2,067

H 6.5 in W 5 in D 3.5 in

More From This Seller

View All

19th c. Rustic French Farmhouse Table c.1820-1880

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT A rustic rustic farmhouse table. Two large front drawers with ample storage. Pegged construction visible on the top and on all four tapered legs. The top consists of two wide ...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Rustic Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wood

19th c. Rustic French Farmhouse Table c.1820-1880

$2,195 Sale Price

39% Off

Early 19th c. Bust c.1800-1840

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An early 19th century painted terracotta bust with glass eyes on wooden base. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1800-1850. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Terracott...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint, Terracotta

Early 19th c. Bust c.1800-1840

$1,295

19th c. Rustic Farmhouse Table with Large Drawer c.1820-1880

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT A rustic farmhouse table with turned legs and distressed, painted base. One large, deep front drawer with ample storage. The top consists of three wide planks of wood. Large p...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Rustic Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wood

19th c. Rustic Farmhouse Table with Large Drawer c.1820-1880

$2,195 Sale Price

39% Off

19th/early 20th c. Bronze and Copper Pitcher

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Antique solid bronze pitcher with handle, copper insert and copper base. The pitcher is weighted with a round lead piece underneath. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFA...

Category

Antique 19th Century More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Bronze, Copper

19th/early 20th c. Bronze and Copper Pitcher

$195 Sale Price

22% Off

Late 19th/Early 20th century Copper Pot

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Antique copper pot or saucepan with two handles. 19th-early 20th century. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1880-1920. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Copper Plat...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Bowls

Materials

Copper

Late 19th/Early 20th century Copper Pot

$260 Sale Price

20% Off

Early 19th c. German Dog Suit Brushes c. 1840-1860

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Natural bristle suit brushes, each topped with a hand-painted porcelain dog head. Early Victorian, manufactured in Germany. The lighter brush features a German Shepherd, while...

Category