Rare antique fully articulated hand prosthesis, made of carved wood with an internal mechanism allowing the fingers to open and close by rotating the wrist. A metal pull-tab system makes it possible to lock the gripping position or to release the hand. The lower part has a leather-covered socket with metal reinforcement, designed to be fixed to the wearer's forearm. This type of manufacture corresponds to the first functional mechanical prostheses of the early 20th century, designed to restore gripping ability after an amputation. The quality of the artisanal manufacturing and the ingenuity of the mechanism bear witness to the orthopedic research preceding modern industrialized models. An extremely strong piece visually and historically, at the frontier between medicine, mechanics, and craftsmanship.
✦ Provenance: Europe ✦ Estimated Period: Circa 1900-1930 ✦ Dimensions: approx. 29 x 9 x 7 cm ✦ Material: Wood, metal, and leather ✦ Condition: Good overall condition with wear and use patina, some old marks, articulated mechanism functional. Small wood loss.
An important piece of medical and orthopedic history, ideal for a cabinet of curiosities, a collection of antique medicine, or historical prosthetics.
