Description

Lower part of the lower mandible of a horse jaw

Antique model from Maison Auzoux in Paris

Paper-mâché pedagogical model

Model B

Inscription: 1 an (year)

From 1830 onwards, Dr Louis Auzoux developed the industrial production of dismantlable anatomical models for human or animal parts in papier-mâché, known as clastic anatomy models (from the Greek to break into pieces).

Much lighter than plaster or wooden models, and less expensive than wax models. His secret to making his pieces light and easy to handle without being too fragile lies in the way he makes his paste and adds cork powder.

In this way, he met the strong demand for human or animal models for teaching purposes in schools.

Dr Auzoux died in 1878, and the business was taken over by his widow and nephews. In 1926, it was bought by Henri Barral, who merged it with Maison Vasseur-Tramond, which specialised in ceroplasty (wax models). From 1959 onwards, the arrival of synthetic resins meant that papier-mâché anatomical models were gradually abandoned.

Height: 20cm - Diameter: 9cm

Chips in the black lacquer on the painted wooden base and chips in the paint on the papier-mâché in places, but the piece is in good condition.