A Victorian Medical Curiosity: A Twin Headed Kitten (19th century English)

Glass, Feline, Preservative

Provenance: Ex Royal Veterinary College
Ex Private English collection
See: Finch and Co catalogue no. 4, item no. 49, for a pair of preserved Siamese pigs

Preserved forever in glass jars natural deformities, both human and animal, have fascinated collectors of curiosities since the 17th century. The most wonderful collection perhaps belonging to Peter the Great of Russia whose early 18th century collection of exquisitely preserved babies can still be seen in St Petersburg.
Often associated by people with the monsters of folklore and mythology, the freaks of real life excited wonder, being both disturbing and instructive at one and the same time.

A Victorian Medical Curiosity: A Twin Headed Kitten sharing one brain and one
body. Preserved in a Victorian cylindrical glass jar with stopper.
2nd Half 19th Century

Size: 16.5cm high, 7cm dia. – 6½ ins high, 2¾ ins dia.