AUZOUX CLASTIC ANATOMICAL MODEL

A finely detailed 7 x 3 in. polychrome hand-painted papier mâché and plaster model depicting a human uterus complete with cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, opening with hinged panel to reveal a human embryo at one month gestation with umbilical cord within amniotic cavity, complete with uterine musculature and blood vessels, placental villi, chorionic cavity and chorion frondosum. Anatomical landmarks numbered with applied circular labels.  

Small paint-chip to back of uterus; some very light rubbing/spoiling to extremities, primarily to fallopian tubes.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A beautiful life-size clastic anatomical model of the human uterus at one month gestation. Dr. Louis Thomas Jérôme Azoux began producing accurate papier mâché anatomical models while a medical student in Paris during the early 19th century. Developed in response to the frequent lack in availability of cadavers for human dissections, his models, unlike real corpses, could be "dissected" over and over again. The term "clastic" comes from the Greek "To break," and Auzoux models could be "broken" open and taken apart to reveal the finer interior anatomical structures. Auzoux was able to secure funding from the French state to found a factory to produce his anatomical, and later veterinary models, and he soon became a commercial success, with his models in high demand by universities, secondary schools, and hospitals around the globe.