Kansas City Collections: Art, Antiques, Coins & Jewelry
Sat, Sep 19, 2020 01:00AM EDT
Lot 42
HG Kern (Philadelphia) Surgical Field Kit, 19th c.
Sold for
$2,100
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $5,000 | $250 |
| $10,000 | $500 |
| $20,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 |
| $75,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Horatio G. Kern (Philadelphia) two-tier field kit for emergency surgery and amputation, circa 1880. Velvet-lined mahogany case inset with brass detail, holding 15 surgical tools as well as several sutures and ligatures (silk and catgut). The ebony handled tools include a capital bone saw, metacarpal saw, trephine (skull drill), bone-cutting forceps, minor tissue forceps, tenaculum, scalpels, and bone brush. The case measures 2 1/2" x 13 3/4" x 5 1/2". Horatio G. Kern and his son Horatio Jr. produced surgical tools from 1837-1893, including creating sets for the Union Army during the Civil War. (Edmonson, James M.: American Surgical Instruments: an Illustrated History of Their Manufacture, per MedicalAntiques).
The tools are in various states of tarnish, but all seem to be in very good condition. Some tarnish to the case's brass insets. There is no key present to lock the case. The set is complete except for two forceps and a knife.