Cabinet of Rarities - Anatomical, Medical and Horrific

Cabinets of rarities, the ancestors of modern natural history museums, preserve testimonies of various episodes of natural history and human history, and many of their exhibits are true works of art. These objects, sometimes invoking horror, have their own history which can tell much about both the living and the dead. The book by the famous French specialist in archaeology, anthropology and thanatology, Juliette Cazaux, illustrated with rare images from museum, university and private collections in Europe, will tell you about forgotten traditions, horrific experiments, and priceless rarities. From human mummies to blood-curdling anatomical deformities, from severed hands and feet to bindings made of human skin, from models of eyes indistinguishable from real ones to death masks — you will encounter both quite real objects and entities shrouded in a veil of mystification! “This book is designed to immerse you in a unique world, a world of passions and unusual finds, which deserves to attract your attention. I hope that in the end, after looking at all these items through my eyes, you will feel the interest and respect for the role they played in science and history.” (Juliette Cazaux)