Six Blade Ring Mechanism, Diderot Chirurgie Supplement Plate 2, circa 1778

An original antique copper engraving, uncolored, showing a single circular mechanism in five numbered figures. The device is a broad ring with a toothed outer edge, carrying six curved blades with notched tips, each pivoted on a round stud set in the ring and drawn by a fine chain. Fig. 1 shows the ring partly cut away, with the blades drawn in dotted outline in their several positions around a central opening, a. Fig. 4 shows the blades swung inward so that their tips meet at the center, and Fig. 5 shows them drawn back toward the rim, leaving the center open. Figs. 2 and 3 give the mechanism in profile, standing upright at the end of a long straight handle, with the chain, the winding pin and the small fittings lettered c, d, f, g and h.

The plate number "Suppl. Pl 2." is lettered at the top right, the section "Chirurgie." below the border, and the page number "145" at the lower left. At the lower right, just under the border, the engraver's mark is lettered "D. S."

The Encyclopédie of Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert was accompanied by volumes of engraved plates, the Recueil de planches. In the Livorno edition published by Giuseppe Aubert the plate volumes appeared between 1771 and 1778, with a supplement volume of plates in 1778 to 1779, the source of this plate. The Chirurgie plates set out surgical instruments, bandages and apparatus, keyed to an explanation in the text volume.

The two large wheels make a crisp, almost geometric image that suits a modern interior as well as a medical collection.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.