The Science and Art of Medicine

Bronze vaginal speculum, probably Roman, found in the Lebanon, made c. 100BC to 400AD, although the screw part is modern. It comprises a priapiscus with dovetailing valves which are opened and closed by a handle with a screw mechanism. It shows the r

• Vaginal speculum, Roman, 100 BC-400 AD.

Marble statue of Aesculapius, probably Greek, 400-200 BC

• Marble statuette of Aesculapius, Greek, 400-200 BC.

Earthenware drug jar, glazed, Islamic

• Pharmacy jar, Islamic, probably 18th century.

Statue of Hygeia, made of white marble, found at Ostia, Roman, 250-100BC. Hygeia was the Greek and Roman goddess of health and is the root word for hygiene.

• Statuette of the goddess, Hygeia, Roman, 250-100 BC.

Heart-shaped stone amulet, Egyptian, 4000-30 BC. Possibly taken from a tomb.

• Heart-shaped stone amulet, Egyptian, 4000-30 BC.

"Base Ring" juglet with handle, of polished earthenware, with decorative relief bands and traces of dark slip, from Cyprus, 1600BC-1400BC. Earthenware is a low-fired ceramic that is porous unless covered with glaze. Most clays can be used to produce

• Bronze Age 'base ring' juglets, Cyprus, 16-15th century BC.

Model of a blood letting device as described by muslim scholar Al-Jazari in AD 1204-6, and reconstructed in 1977. It measured the blood lost during phlebotomy (blood-letting) sessions, a popular therapy in the Arab world. It is illustrated in Al-Jaza

• Copy of a blood-letting measuring device, Egypt, original c. 1206

Faience amulet, eye, Egyptian, 4000-30BC

• Ancient Egyptian eye amulets, 4000-30 BC.

Bronze cupping vessel, from Pompeii, Roman, 1-79AD. Cupping was an ancient therapy intended to restore the balance of the body. It remained popular in the Western world until the 19th century.

• Bronze Roman cupping vessel, 1-79 AD.

Faience amulet, djed, Egyptian, 400-30BC

• Group of Ancient Egyptian amulets, 4000-30 BC.