Tag Archives: amateur tattoos

An Unfortunate Amalgam: Syphilis, Tattooing & Mercury

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Dr. Gemma Angel

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 →

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From the Storage Archives: “Mort Aux Vaches!”

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Dr. Gemma Angel

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 →

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From the Storage Archives: A Dagger Through the Heart

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Dr. Gemma Angel

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 →

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