Type
Film
Trail
Museum Remix Unheard

Two iron prosthetic hands in the Fitzwilliam Museum's Armoury speak of the dangerous life led by high-ranking knights and master gunners in the sixteenth century. 

The advent of gunpowder warfare in the 1500s saw soldiers sustain horrific injuries and more amputations than in previous centuries. Prosthetic hands like these (which were very, very expensive) contained complex mechanisms to allow for some movement. 

Vicky Avery, Keeper of Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum, tells us more.

 

Images

Hand 1 

Museum object number: M.22-1938

iron prosthetic hand side view. It is a left hand, and lies palm down with the thumb underneath. The hand ends at the wrist and is made of dark iron and the four fingers are fully articulated, while the thumb is not jointed

iron prosthetic hand side view. It is a left hand, and lies palm down with the thumb underneath, with the fingers slightly curled to demonstrate their articulation. The hand ends at the wrist and is made of dark iron and the four fingers are fully articulated, while the thumb is not jointed.

iron prosthetic hand top view, showing the back of the hand and fingers. The back of the hand is flat and smooth, with a notch at the wrist end where it would have been attached.

iron prosthetic hand viewed from the wrist, showing the hollow inside. The wrist is rather narrow and not cushioned. Also visible along the left hand side of the hand are hinges.

iron prosthetic hand open at the hinges to reveal the hollow inside of the hand, the hook for fastening it shut, and the articulated fingers.

Hand 2 

Museum object number: M.23-1938

Iron prosthetic hand resting on its side, thumb up. It is a left hand and the palm is facing towards the viewer. The fingers are articulated at the knuckle. An iron armpiece extends from the wrist to elbow length to enable it to be worn against the outside of the arm..

iron prosthetic hand, viewed down the armpiece towards the wrist as it lies with the palm up. The fingers and thumb curl upwards. Two fasteners are visible half way up the arm and at the wrist.

iron prosthetic hand laid with little finger at the bottom and palm facing the viewer

iron prosthetic hand viewed from the fist end, showing the articulation of the finger joints at the knuckle and their attachment to the smooth back of the hand