Phrenology head, C 1890

DescriptionPlaster phrenological halfhead, areas are marked off with an impressed line. The plaster cast head shows the areas responsible for certain characteristics and personality traits according to the theories of Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832). Phrenologists believed that the shape and size of various areas of the brain (and therefore the overlying skull) determined personality. In the 1800s, phrenology became popular with large numbers of people but soon became controversial within medical circles.Measurements; diameter base 25 cm and 17 cnm high