Ivory female anatomical figure, Europe, undated

The torso of this ivory female anatomical figure can be removed to show the lungs and intestines. Removing the intestines reveals the uterus with a foetus ready to be born, as well as the stomach and liver. The piece of red string represents the umbilical cord. Ivory anatomical models were popular in the 1600s and 1700s and normally came in male and female pairs, where the female was almost always shown as pregnant. The organs are not very detailed so it is unlikely that the model was used for medical teaching. The figure was possibly used to teach young couples about anatomy or pregnancy or it may have been a collector’s item.