CeroplastIcsInternational Congress on Wax Modelling
The Gordon Museum: Joseph Towne
The Gordon Museum is one of the largest pathology museums in the world and its primary function is to train medical, dental and biomedical students and professionals to diagnose diseases. The Museum houses a collection of over 8,000 pathological specimens and supports the studies of over 9,500 current healthcare students.
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The museum is also home to largest and most important collection of anatomical and pathological waxes created by the artist Joseph Towne (1806-1879). The extraordinary waxes are often a source of admiration to visitors of the museum.
Wax head, neck and upper torso dissection, Joseph Towne
Photograph: Owen Burke
Wax head dissection, Joseph Towne
Photograph: Owen Burke
Joseph Towne worked at Guy’s Hospital Medical School for over half a century, from 1826 until his death in 1879. It is believed that during that time he created nearly a thousand models, many of which were sent abroad to medical schools in India, Australia, Russia and America.
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Towne’s wonderful models are on permanent display at the Gordon Museum and are in fact still used for teaching today.
The Gordon Museum
King's College London Guy's Campus
Hodgkin Building, King's College Guys Campus, Newcomen St, London SE1 1UL