Model of a Severed Head of an Executed Chinese Criminal, 1900
The origin and purpose of this model are unknown, which make it even more mysterious. This model head is reportedly of an executed Chinese Yangstze river pirate. It is made of plaster and the long braid is composed entirely of human hair. It is particularly gruesome because it depicts the bloody head and face in great anatomical detail. The arteries, veins and spinal cord are accurately modeled across the severed neck. The head also has its own bloodstained carrying box.
It could have possibly been used in an exhibition, because it is known that it was made in England sometime around 1900. The mystery of who and why it was made, combined with its incredibly accurate anatomical detail, make this bloody object particularly creepy.
