Author Archives: Dr. Gemma Angel

Magical Membranes: Born in the Caul

Posted on August 31, 2017

A lass if born in June with a caul Will wed, hev bairns & rear ’em all. But a lass if born with a caul in July, Will loose her caul & young will die. Every month beside luck comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Folklore & Myth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Preserving Tattoos for the Future? Interview with ABC Radio Australia

Posted on December 4, 2015

Some time ago, I met the very colourful (and heavily tattooed!) Geoff Ostling, when he came to visit the Wellcome tattoo collection. Recently, our paths crossed again whilst I was in Australia for a speaking engagement at the National Gallery … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Art, Contemporary Preservations | Tagged , , , , , , ,

The Tattoo Collectors: Geoff Ostling

Posted on May 1, 2013

As a researcher who specialises in the preservation of tattooed human skin, I have encountered some extraordinary things stored away in archives, museums and private collections in the course of my work. But I don’t just work with the dead … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Art, Contemporary Preservations, Tattoo Iconography, The Tattoo Collectors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

An Unfortunate Amalgam: Syphilis, Tattooing & Mercury

Posted on January 15, 2013

The late 19th century was an exciting time to be a tattooist in Europe and America. Foreign influences such as the beautiful and accomplished Japanese irezumi, combined with technological invention in the form of Samuel O’Reilly’s 1891 electric tattoo machine, … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Medicine, Museum Collections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Magic, Sex & Superstition: The Winged Phallus Tattoo

Posted on December 1, 2012

In January 2010, just 3 months into my PhD, I went to Paris on the first of what would be many research trips. Whilst there, I visited the anthropology department of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN) with my supervisors … Continue reading →

Posted in Museum Collections, Tattoo Iconography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Tattoo Collectors: Film & Fiction

Posted on November 1, 2012

When I was a child, my favourite Roald Dahl story was Skin, a macabre tale about an old tattooist named Drioli, who has a magnificent work of art tattooed on his back by the famous painter Chaïm Soutine. One day … Continue reading →

Posted in The Tattoo Collectors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

From the Storage Archives: “Mort Aux Vaches!”

Posted on July 8, 2012

Science Museum Object Number A544: Preserved human skin, tattooed with a series of patterned dots and crosses; initials and lettering in French; two hearts, including one pierced by arrows; and the head and torso of a man. Dimensions: h353mm x … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminology, From the Storage Archives, Museum Collections, Tattoo Iconography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

From the Storage Archives: The Wounded Tattoo

Posted on June 8, 2012

Science Museum Object Number A544: Preserved human skin, tattooed with a series of patterned dots and crosses; initials and lettering in French; two hearts, including one pierced by arrows; and the head and torso of a man. Dimensions: A544 h353 … Continue reading →

Posted in From the Storage Archives, Museum Collections, Tattoo Iconography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From the Storage Archives: The Unseen Sailors’ Tattoo

Posted on May 22, 2012

Science Museum Object Number A747 & A754: Preserved human skins, tattooed with a pair of eyes. Dimensions: A747 h137 x w88mm x d1.5mm; A754 h144mm x w86mm x d2mm* *Depth measurements are given at their thickest points. Date: c.1830-1900 Of … Continue reading →

Posted in From the Storage Archives, Museum Collections, Tattoo Iconography | Tagged , , , , , , ,

From the Storage Archives: A Dagger Through the Heart

Posted on May 8, 2012

Science Museum Object Number A670: Preserved human skin, showing the tattooed image of a dagger piercing the skin of the chest. Dimensions: h258mm x w123mm x d0.4mm Date: c.1850-1920 The image above shows an example of the iconic dagger-through-the-heart tattoo. … Continue reading →

Posted in From the Storage Archives, Museum Collections, Tattoo Iconography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment