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Last reviewed: 11/10/2010
Last updated: 11/10/2010

LDBDA : 7713

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'Transplanting of Teeth' by Thomas Rowlandson. Framed, hand coloured engraving on paper. Published by Wm Holland in 1790.

Thomas Rowlandson (1756 - 1827) was a British caricaturist, watercolourist and engraver who produced humorous drawings of observations of urban and rustic life. This scene shows the process of a tooth transplanation. The tooth is being extracted from the poor person while the rich lady who is to receive the tooth watches. The transplantation of teeth was a common practice at the end of the 18th century. The teeth were commonly tied in using a piece of silk thread. The transplanted teeth were prone to infection or rejection by the body and Syphilis could also be transmitted with the transplanted tooth.

artist: Rowlandson, Thomas Holland, Wm 1790

paper; width 560mm; height 460mm

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