What Is It? - #54

[SifuPhil]

Today's item is made of ivory, is 18" long and is from the mid- to late-19[SUP]th[/SUP] century.

... and yes, it is a statue of a naked lady, but it also serves a very important function.



WHAT IS IT?

 

[That Guy]

Letter opener.

 

[TICA]

Letter opener.

That was my first thought too.

 

[Pappy]

18th century Playboy model?

Some type of lucky charm or something pertaining to a religion?

 

[SifuPhil]

Letter opener.

That was my first thought too.

No, not a letter opener, although it DOES look like one.

18th century Playboy model?

Some type of lucky charm or something pertaining to a religion?

Do all those guesses go together?

Sorry, no to all three.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Bottle opener?

 

[SeaBreeze]

Paper weight?

 

[That Guy]

... and yes, it is a statue of a naked lady, but it also serves a very important function.

Naked ladies serve a very important function!

 

[Happyflowerlady]

An incense holder maybe ??

 

[Ivanchuk]

I also think it's an incense holder.

 

[Judi.D]

Is it one of those Japanese figures that women used when they saw a doctor. They were not allow to remove their clothes, so they would point to the part of the body where they had a problem. I know they have a name but I can't remember it.

 

[SifuPhil]

Bottle opener?

Nope.

Paper weight?

Could be, but not its original purpose.

Naked ladies serve a very important function!

I'll give you a DING! for that just on general principles ...

An incense holder maybe ??

I also think it's an incense holder.

Not an incense holder - I mean, where would you put it? :angel:

Is it one of those Japanese figures that women used when they saw a doctor. They were not allow to remove their clothes, so they would point to the part of the body where they had a problem. I know they have a name but I can't remember it.

DING! DING! DING!

We have a winna'!!!

Judi D. has correctly identified this as a Japanese (or Chinese - they both used them) medical model - I'm impressed, Judi!

Women were always taught to guard their innocence, so they used models such as these to point to the areas that were troubling them, rather than come out and use an actual anatomical term when speaking with the doctor. As Judi also mentioned the women would only uncover that portion of their anatomy that needed work, leaving everything else swaddled in layers of clothes.

Of course, for a brief visit with limited insurance (before the days of EmperorCare in Japan) the doctor would employ a model such as this:



Congrats to Judi D. and thanks all for playing - love those answers!

 

[Pappy]

Congrats Judi D.
I found one I will take to my Drs. So that I can keep my clothes on.

 

[Sid]

Naked ladies serve a very important function!

Man I wished I hadda thought of that one.

 

[Anne]

Wow, that was quick!!! I had no clue - Congrats, Judi D for your fast guess!!! :applause2:

 

[Ivanchuk]

Gratz Judi D!

 

[SeaBreeze]

Kudos Judi!! :banana: