Thursday 7 April 2022

Inuit Harpoon: Object Signifficance

 











Statement of Significance of Earthenware Feeding Cup

 



 Ayrtons Earthenware Feeding Cup, UCL Science Collections 

Source: Author’s own



 









The invalid feeding cups were used by hospitals and home caregivers primarily to feed those who were unable to eat on their own. The label on the original box of this earthenware feeding cup, the company that manufactured is AYRTON, SAUNDERS & CO.LTD. It is highly probable that this cup was produced between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.


There is no doubt that the advent of feeding cups represents a scientific approach to the nursing of the invalid. In the act of feeding, the participants are patients and caregivers. Feeding is a practical expression of nursing care for the patient. This feeding cup is a good example of care in nursing.



 


 Deposit illustration in the cup   

Source: Author’s own 

The feeding cup was the main object in use and the obvious stains and deposit lines inside the cup indicates that it would have been used and with some frequency. It is recommended that the sediment be sampled and tested for its composition, which may reveal what food has been served in this cup.

The paper paperboard packaging around the feeding cup has done its job well over the years in protecting. The label is adhered tightly to the box and the printing on it is not visibly faded. The well presence of this package box gives this feeding cup complete production information. A mechanical die cutting machine was invented in 1879, and blanks could be creased automatically. This period is very close to the year in which the feeding cups were made. This is also an indication that this box is a relatively early method of paperboard box manufacture.

 


Paperboard packaging lid 

Source: Author’s own

 

 

 









 Paperboard packaging box 

Source: Author’s own


This collection was collected at the Royal Free Hospital, part of a group of 141 objects collected by previous Pathology Museum curator Paul Bates, formerly a technician at the Royal Free Hospital. The cup was transferred to the University College London (UCL) general science handling collection in 2016 or 2017.


References

Cornish, H., 2022. Questions about the collections. [email].

Julien, P. 1995. A Masonic invalid feeding cup. Revue d’histoire de la pharmacie. 42 (304), 29–30.

Le Mare, D., n.d. AYRTON, SAUNDERS & CO., LTD. Wholesale and Manufacturing Chemists Documents. [Photocopy] Museum of Liverpool The Archives Centre, Liverpool City.

Malet, L. 1901. The History of Sir Richard Calmady: A Romance. Project Gutenberg.

The Paperboard Packaging Alliance In association with the American Forest and Paper Association and the Paperboard Packaging Council, 2008. The History of Paperboard Packaging. The Paperboard Packaging Alliance.







Wednesday 6 April 2022

Statement of Significance - Paraguayan Tobacco Pipe

 

Tobacco Pipe belonging to the Suhin (Sukin is believed to be a misspelling) of the Paraguayan Chaco.

There are few resources that discuss the Suhin people in detail, but it is clear from these reports that tobacco smoking makes up a large part of their social culture (though not as a part of shamanistic ritual), and reference is repeatedly made to the elaborate nature of tobacco pipes, whilst this pipe is far more simplistic in nature. Although the finish may not be generally representative of Suhin pipes, the general shape of the pipe, especially the wide, flat mouthpiece is stylistically very typical of the area (see below).

Overall, the pipe appears to be fairly unique in nature. Similar examples could not be found either in the literature, or in museum collections (both the British Museum and Smithsonian were consulted). Interestingly, whilst the minimalistic nature of the pipe may have reduced its material value in the past, it is this that adds the greatest current significance to this artefact. Furthermore, this pipe is unusual in the evidence of use that can be seen across the surface (see below). This was not seen in any of the other examples that were able to be examined, adding further value to the pipe.

Finally, the pipe’s position as part of the UCL teaching collection (believed to have been part of a donation from W. Gibbons along with a number of other artefacts) further adds to its intangible value – not only is it significant in terms of its own biography, but also in what it can teach students.

Due to the limited nature of the literature, as well as the present significance attributed to the pipe, this artefact appears to be of great significance, despite its apparently modest appearance at first glance.




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