Not currently on display at the V&A

Model Guillotine

1786-1816 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Model of a guillotine, carved, turned and sawn bone. The guillotine has a sliding blade operated by a piece of cotton attached to a turned finial at the top of the frame. A figure lies face downwards, its head is separate and wears a hat with a plume. Once severed, the head falls into an ornamentally carved bucket. The guillotine stands on a platform with ornately carved sides, it attended by two figures wearing bicorn hats, representing French soldiers. The soldier on the left can be slid to the end of the platform by pulling a length of carved bone. This platform stands on another platform, accessible by a flight of steps. At the bottom of these steps stand three more soldiers. The lower platform has ornately carved sides, it stands on four short, turned legs. There is a second bucket with a metal wire handle, decorated with two black painted rings.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved, turned and sawn bone
Brief description
Model guillotine, bone; French prisoner of war work, 1796-1816
Physical description
Model of a guillotine, carved, turned and sawn bone. The guillotine has a sliding blade operated by a piece of cotton attached to a turned finial at the top of the frame. A figure lies face downwards, its head is separate and wears a hat with a plume. Once severed, the head falls into an ornamentally carved bucket. The guillotine stands on a platform with ornately carved sides, it attended by two figures wearing bicorn hats, representing French soldiers. The soldier on the left can be slid to the end of the platform by pulling a length of carved bone. This platform stands on another platform, accessible by a flight of steps. At the bottom of these steps stand three more soldiers. The lower platform has ornately carved sides, it stands on four short, turned legs. There is a second bucket with a metal wire handle, decorated with two black painted rings.
Dimensions
  • Height: 35.5cm
  • Width: 17.2cm
Credit line
Given by the Wellcome Collection
Object history
Given to the V&A in 1986 by the Wellcome Institute [82/476].
Production
Said to have been made by a French prisoner of war during the Napoleonic Wars.
Subjects depicted
Associations
Collection
Accession number
MISC.84-1986

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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