Lot 555
WWI Antique Prosthetic Arm, Perfect Steampunk Aesthetic, Scarce. Prosthetics have come a long way from the wooden big toe found on a a 3000-year-old mummy, the ancient Etruscan bridgework made of animal teeth, a pirate's peg leg, to Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe's gold nose, his original lost in a sword fight. Fast forward to the late 1800s to early 1900s, and a variety of custom designed limbs from France and Switzerland found their way to market made in combinations of wood, metal, and leather. Controlled by cables, gears, cranks, and springs, these limbs could be rotated and bent hence their immensely appealing steampunk aesthetic. These fantastic objects were ahead of their time: cable control was a precursor to the standard post-World War II design. Hunter Oatman-Standard of Collector's Weekly writes; "There is something beautiful about prosthetic limbs, designed to echo the physical grace and mechanical engineering of the human body … The function of a prosthetic limb—to replace a part of the human body—will always endow it with a certain magic few other man-made objects possess." Offered is a vintage original prosthetic WWI era left articulated arm in remarkable condition with cables, straps, fittings and spring locking mechanism. A marvel of design and all element operating. Also these have become intriguing display pieces in any number of settings and welcome additions in libraries and museums. Estimated Value $500 - UP
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| Realized $360 |
