The 19th century's relationship to science was complicated. Animal vivisection, Galvanic reanimation of the dead, and the developing field of psychology all stirred public sentiment and raised questions about science's relation to morality. The popularity of novels like Frankenstein, Jekyl and Hyde, and the Island of Doctor Moreau, demonstrates the public's fear of and fascination with modern science. Scientific and mathematical villains show people's unease with a world whose shape was shifting. This literature anticipated new questions and paved the way for the science fiction genre. The creation of this cabinet was inspired by a time in history when science's true potential was being realized---both as a force for good and as a force for evil.
The many parts are infinitely re-arrangeable. So it's up to you whether you want to display it as belonging to Jekyll---or to Hyde! It would be the show-stopping piece in a variety of mini settings---laboratories, Victorian mansions, detectives' studies...
The most beautiful part of this collection is the real antique cabinet that houses it. Made in the early part of the 20th century, this gorgeous piece has been hand carved and crafted with obvious love and care. Sturdy enough to last another hundred years, its solid form is what makes it such a convincing scale model. The deep cherry color and delicate carvings give it rich character.
Collection includes everything you see pictured:
-real antique cabinet with two working drawers and two working doors for storage
-55 miniature antique books (enough to fill the shelves and then some)
-three candles
-1 human skull
-4 large murky specimen jars with fetuses and human heads, labeled with real antique labels
-2 test tubes with real animal bones and real antique labels
-2 glass jars with real animal bones and real antique labels
-1 brass skeleton key
-2 round mechanical pieces, possibly for the operation of a miniature time machine...(time machine not included!)
-1 shell
-1 packet of papers with medical anomaly cabinet card, all secured with twine
-1 portrait of a 19th century gentleman in a rough-hewn, green-gold wooden frame
-1 rolled manuscript
-2 envelopes
-one antique file folder, filled with papers and fixed in a closed position
-20 loose antique papers, some crinkled for more realistic texture, including drawings of human muscular system, scientific pages, letters, pages torn from books, photographs, etc.
1-inch scale
Everything you see pictured is available in my Etsy store or to order!
My pretty packaging makes every order the perfect gift!
!!!FREE SHIPPING!!!
***If you know anything about the history of this sort of antique dollhouse cabinet, or think you can date it with more certainty, I'd love to hear from you!***
Have any questions?
Contact the shop owner.
