Worn Over Time

Guessing game for antique tools and objects.

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Here are Instagram posts of the latest objects in our collection. We’ll also post objects that piqued our interest while visting museums, auctions, antique stores & faires.

Can’t put too much stress on this early 1900s ha Can’t put too much stress on this early 1900s hand brace due to the age of the leather and string. Despite it’s fragility, it’s as big and bad ass as they come! 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
The early 1900s hand brace I recently acquired cam The early 1900s hand brace I recently acquired came with a prosthetic hand and forearm. The spring loaded brace was an exerciser for paralysis patients. It goes without saying, these spectacular pieces fit like a glove 😉 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
Last March, I posted screenshots of three hand spl Last March, I posted screenshots of three hand splints that I’ve seen on Oddities and @americanpickers. Well, I can see them everyday now 😉
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
Picked up this awesome pair of ol’ medical hand Picked up this awesome pair of ol’ medical hand braces. I’ve never seen these before. I’m guessing they’re 1950-1960ish.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
Ecstatic to acquire this printed sheet from the Ma Ecstatic to acquire this printed sheet from the May 15, 1897 issue of Harper’s Weekly. The photos highlight New York’s Pathological Institute. I spy an ergograph 🙂 Amazing this ephemera exists. Thanks for the helping hand @nautilus_antiques 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #psychology #physiology #curatorbattle #ergograph
Hands across 2020. #HappyNewYear . . . #antiques # Hands across 2020. #HappyNewYear
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
Here’s to cultivating curiosity throughout the N Here’s to cultivating curiosity throughout the New Year. My daughter is crackin’ open 2021 with some muddy Dino eggs! 
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#dinosaursofinstagram #dinoeggs #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum
Upon reflection, it was time to purge lots of unus Upon reflection, it was time to purge lots of unusual objects I’ve collected over the years to get my hands on more devices like these. 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
Lot #1. STRENGTH. Putting lots of things together Lot #1. STRENGTH. Putting lots of things together to go! DM me if anything piques your interest. I prefer to bundle. More to come.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum
My second time missing out on getting "The Digitor My second time missing out on getting "The Digitorium,” a rare finger exercise machine from 1860-1880's. A post will have to do for now 🙂

The Digitorium is part of a genre of 19th century finger exercise machines that were made for a mainly amateur pianist market. The piano had become a hugely popular instrument throughout the middle class during this time and devices such as the Digitorium were created to assist in the physical development of a player's fingers and hands. It allowed players to strengthen their fingers by playing weighted keys.

Manufacturers seized on the opportunity to create finger exercise machines to satisfy the desire of amateur players wanting to improve their playing ability.

As with many 19thC inventions however, these machines rarely lived up to the 'hype' and instead are reputed to have caused damage to people's hands rather than being of any great benefit. (eBay seller: bon-bons)
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #musicianlife #musicianslife #musiciansdaily  #musiciandaily #musicianphoto #musictraining
A quackery radio hypnotic crystal device marketed A quackery radio hypnotic crystal device marketed by E. Knowles circa 1930. A sample of the literature which accompanied these and other devices reads:

“At the outset, get your patient into a state of mental calm either by the use of the Radio Hypnotic Crystal or by such other methods as your knowledge and diagnosis of the case may indicate to you. Then gradually induce profound hypnotic slumber until such time as you feel that your subject has completely relaxed...”

Users are also warned that there is only ONE Radio Hypnotic Crystal but reassured that neither the Radio Hypnotic crystal or Knowles System has any connection with Magic, Spiritualism or Divination. (Source: @phisickdr)
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #strangethingschallenge #odditiesmarket #medicalantiques #occult #spiritualism #planchette #hypnosis #hypnotic #crystalhealing
Moment of Zen with the old French prosthesis in th Moment of Zen with the old French prosthesis in the curio cabinet.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #rheumatoidarthritis
This spectacular 100 year old French prosthesis is This spectacular 100 year old French prosthesis is for wrist drop.  Grateful to add this work of art to my collection. 

Wrist drop, is a medical condition in which the wrist and the fingers cannot extend at the metacarpophalangeal joints. The following situations may result in wrist drop: stab wounds to the chest at or below the clavicle, broken humerus, lead poisoning, correcting dislocated shoulders. Neuropathy in the hands and/or arms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may in rare cases cause wrist drop.

The forearm is anchored within a metal frame of the prosthesis. Copper rivets secure the stitched leather covering which has brass hooks for fastening and suede internally for comfort. The fingers, unable to extend themselves, are supported by five wires. The prostheses is jointed and sprung at the wrist allowing the patient to voluntarily flex the hand and fingers, which when relaxed are pulled back into an extended position. (Source: @phisickdr)
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #rheumatoidarthritis
Patented in 1888 by inventor Hugh Lyon, this metal Patented in 1888 by inventor Hugh Lyon, this metal device was used to create custom fit hats. The customer would snuggly put on the device, which pushes out the spades and compresses their respective springs. Screws are tightened to lock their positions. The spades' formation represented the customer's head shape. The hatter could then steam hats to size on the device without injuring the customer. #pleasewearamask 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #conformateur #formillion #hatter #haberdashery #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #hatsizer #hatmold #hatdevice #hattools #wearamask #wearyourmask #wearamask😷
The wood conformateur and formillion were used to The wood conformateur and formillion were used to create custom fit hats in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also have the rare black base for the formillion. Grateful to have them in my care. #pleasewearamask 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #conformateur #formillion #hatter #haberdashery #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #hatsizer #hatmold #hatdevice #hattools #wearamask #wearyourmask #wearamask😷
This rare 1920s Merke Thermocap by Allied Merke In This rare 1920s Merke Thermocap by Allied Merke Institutes was a hair growth device that used heat. The heating element in this quackery device was a light bulb. I’m guessing the crazy height of this device is to provide space between the wearer and light bulb. Not due to my big head 😉 #pleasewearamask 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #medicalantiques #medicalquackery #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #wearamask #wearyourmask #wearamask😷
This 1920s Meco-Sazh is a head & hair massager tha This 1920s Meco-Sazh is a head & hair massager that improved hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles. Their brochure claims, "The cause of falling hair and baldness is simply poor scalp circulation. Meco-Sazh forces blood to thin scalp veins; relieving the heart of unnecessary strain in pumping to this high point on the body." My Meco-Sazh is missing the rubber brushes. It would’ve been more comfortable to wear, since it’s heavy as heck! #pleasewearamask 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #medicalantiques #medicalquackery #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #wearyourmask #wearamask #wearamask😷
Moment of Zen. . . . #antiques #antique #curio #c Moment of Zen. 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #musicianlife #musicianslife #musiciansdaily  #musiciandaily #musicianphoto #musictraining
Got another box set of #Fingerspitzenformer from t Got another box set of #Fingerspitzenformer from the 1920s. These “forms for fingertips” claimed to sculpt unattractive fingertips into more slender shapes.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum
A little strange posting my foot and not my hand. A little strange posting my foot and not my hand. But for the sake of science—or quackery! Footnote: This 1913 Dr. Scholl toe-straightening device was intended to reduce bunions. 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #drscholls
This Toe-Straightening Device was patented in 1913 This Toe-Straightening Device was patented in 1913 by Dr. William Mathias Scholl. While there are plenty of questions surrounding his origin story, the man called “Dr. Scholl,” was a master of the world of advertising. Scholl explained to store managers that his product was backed by “science,” would make them rich, and he was the only one who could provide it. Old American Medical Association (AMA) records on Scholl describe a man whose credentials are “entirely irregular,” whose methods smack “strongly of quackery,” and whose products “cannot be recommended.” Scholl was not slowed down by the nay-saying in the least. He continued to invent, patent foot products, and open new stores around the world. 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #drscholls
Got this vintage lucite hand to help showcase my e Got this vintage lucite hand to help showcase my early 1900s finger stretcher, the #Dattilapero. The “Thing” has a nice spooky look for Halloween 👻
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #musicianlife #musicianslife #musiciansdaily  #musiciandaily #musicianphoto #musictraining
ANY IDEAS? This mystery device is supposedly for m ANY IDEAS? This mystery device is supposedly for medical purposes. The handle raises the platform on the other end. It was found in an old loft amongst numerous other medical items. It is about 16 inches long and 6.5 inches high.
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 #antiques #antique #antiquesforsale #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #medicalantiques #medicalquackery
Needed a hand with/for my devices. It’s filled w Needed a hand with/for my devices. It’s filled with plastic beads and is quite malleable. Not sure what it was used for. The two tubes makes me think it was for medical injection training. I don’t think it was a prosthetic, but it’s incredibly life like, even to touch. Any insight appreciated. 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum
Trying on the ol’ finger traction splint by Pryo Trying on the ol’ finger traction splint by Pryor & Howard.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
Checked off the wishlist! Not sure if y’all have Checked off the wishlist! Not sure if y’all have seen or remember the Oddities episode when Mike visited Steve’s gallery and a steam pipe ruptured. This is the finger traction splint they were looking at when all hell broke loose. Honored to have it in my collection. Thank you @radioguyantiques @obscuraantiques 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion
This 1907 advertisement translates to “The Lates This 1907 advertisement translates to “The Latest American Invention: The Phrenometer, a device for measuring the skull formation.”
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #medicalantiques #medicalquackery #psycograph #phrenology #phrenologyhead #psychology #psychologist #psychologists #mindreader #mindreading #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #phrenometer
Springing back into action since the late 19th Cen Springing back into action since the late 19th Century! Push down for a snug fit, then tighten the screws to lock the respective spade in place. Their formation represented the wearer's head shape. A hatter would use these metal conformateurs to steam hats to size without injuring the customer. 
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #conformateur #formillion #hatter #haberdashery #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #hatsizer #hatmold #hatdevice #hattools
I traded the previous one I had, so I’m grateful I traded the previous one I had, so I’m grateful to replace it. And this one happens to be in amazing condition. These metal conformateurs were used to create custom fit hats in 1888. The customer would snuggly put on the device, which pushes out the spades and compresses their respective springs. Screws are tightened to lock their positions. The spades' formation represented the customer's head shape. The hatter could then steam hats to size on the device without injuring the customer. It was invented by Hugh Lyons of Lansing, Michigan.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #conformateur #formillion #hatter #haberdashery #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #hatsizer #hatmold #hatdevice #hattools
The Phrenometer, marketed as the “Psycograph,” The Phrenometer, marketed as the “Psycograph,” was patented in 1905 by Henry Lavery. His first machine with 1,900 parts didn't work! By the 1930s, the machine could rate an individual's character on thirty two different personality traits such as Perceptiveness, Constructiveness, Alimentiveness (love of food and drink), Conjugal Love (sexual enthusiasm) and Suavity. The head piece, which looks like a metal basket measures the head at 32 points per a five-point scale ranging from "Deficient" to "Very Superior.” (Source: www.museumofquackery.com)
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #medicalantiques #medicalquackery #psycograph #phrenology #phrenologyhead #psychology #psychologist #psychologists #mindreader #mindreading #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #phrenometer
This 1907 ad came out of the Penny Illustrated Pap This 1907 ad came out of the Penny Illustrated Paper. The caption states, “THE BUMP-TESTER WITH THE ELECTRIC FEELERS: THE PHRENOMETER. An American has invented a machine for delineating the character from the bumps of the head. It is an intricate apparatus with electrical attachments, and there is as much entertainment as instructions to be got out of it. It has twenty-five blunt points, which press lightly against the skull, and which indicate at once the height of bumps. The thirty seconds which the patient’s skull spends in its grasp is really occupied  by the machine in printing out the results according to a set of formulas. It is said that the machine cannot lie, and it is therefore probable that it will at once be adopted in all City offices—for the chief to test his subordinates. The Phrenometer should in future be the only writer of characters—if it really is nicknamed George Washington.
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum #medicalantiques #medicalquackery #psycograph #phrenology #phrenologyhead #psychology #psychologist #psychologists #mindreader #mindreading #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #phrenometer
The Techniquer from 1915 was used by pianists, vio The Techniquer from 1915 was used by pianists, violinists, and cellists for hand development—not detriment 🙂
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#antiques #antique #curio #curiosity #curiosities #curiousities #curiocabinet #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #oddity #oddities #whatthemuseum  #patent #patentlaw #inventions #invention #inventor #ochydactyl #dactylion #musicianlife #musicianslife #musiciansdaily  #musiciandaily #musicianphoto #musictraining
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