Accession No
5767
Brief Description
papier mâché botanical model, Chrysanthemum cornarium (chrysanthemum), attributed to Louis Thomas Jérôme Auzoux, French, 19th century
Origin
France; Saint-Aubin-d'Écrosville [based on attributed maker]
Maker
Auzoux, Louis Thomas Jérôme [attributed]
Class
natural history; demonstration
Earliest Date
1800
Latest Date
1900
Inscription Date
Material
wood; paper (papier mâche); paint; metal; rope (string)
Dimensions
diameter of base 200mm; height 740mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Trevor Philip & Sons Ltd., 75A Jermyn Street, St. James’s, London, SW 1Y 6NP, England on 18/11/1999.
Inscription
‘Receptacle ...90’ (on a label attached to the model with string)
‘Feuille.’ (paper label stuck to model)
‘CHRYSANTHEME (Chrysanthemum cornarium, L.). Tige.’ (paper label)
‘Receptacle.’ (paper label)
‘Graines mures.’ (paper label)
‘Placenta. (paper label)
‘Modele’ (written on stem of model)
Description Notes
Papier mâché botanical model, Chrysanthemum cornarium (chrysanthemum), possibly by Auzoux, French, 19th century.
The base is wooden, and of a later date than the model.
The model consists of three sections. One is a stem with one leaf, and a cut away open flower. Around the base of the leaf is a label, attached by string.
The second part of the model is a stem, with one leaf and an open flower, partly cut away. There are five paper labels stuck to various parts of the model. Also there is writing on the stem.
The third part of the model consists of a stem, which splits into two. One of these then splits into two again. There are three leaves and two flowers. One flower is closed, the other open and cut away. At the end of the third stem is a hole, which suggests that the model is incomplete.
Condition: fair (some cracks, and repairs); incomplete.
References
Events
Description
This Chrysanthemum model was likely produced by Louis Thomas Jérôme Auzoux (1797–1880) as a teaching and reference model for botany students. Institutions, such as Cornell University and Mount Holyoke in the United States, purchased models such as these to demonstrate their ability to compete against established teaching programmes and to circumvent traditional modes of acquiring botanical knowledge. The Chrysanthemum consists of three sections showing various stages of dissection. As a medical student in Paris, Auzoux developed a special papier-mâché mixture (containing cork and clay as well as paper and glue) in order to produce anatomical models that could be taken apart piece by piece. After establishing a commercially successful factory in St. Aubin d’Ecrosville that produced clastic models of human anatomy, Auzoux’s company expanded to include examples of animals and plants.
05/11/2013
Created by: Allison Ksiazkiewicz on 05/11/2013
FM:46161
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