Italian anatomical bust, late 19th century: A polychrome papier-mâché and plaster model, detachable, produced in Italy at the end of the 19th century

• Italian anatomical bust, late 19th century: A polychrome papier-mâché and plaster model, detachable, produced in Italy at the end of the 19th century

Papier-mâché anatomical busts were common in medical and school education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Papier-mâché, often combined with plaster and wood, allowed for the creation of detailed and relatively lightweight models. These busts were usually hand-painted, with colors representing the different anatomical parts.