This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany , and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University.

Set of tissue forceps. Made of metal, the forceps resemble long tweezers, with a grip section and a small set of teeth at the end of each arm of the forceps. The proximal end of the forceps is engraved with the word 'Kloss'.

'Kloss'

obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany , and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University.

Metal catheter with internal wire. Catheter is in a vague 's' shape, with a thinner and thicker section. A loop at one end it attached to a wire which can be slid in and out of the device. There are two small round attachments at the thinner end of the device which function as grips.

obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany , and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University.

Metal pelvimeter. Consists of a device with two arms, which curve into rounded points at their ends. A semi-circular measuring gauge is attached to the end of the pelvimeter.

obstetrics

This tool could also be used as a destructive instrument. This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany , and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University.

Stainless steel dilator with three blades. There is a ratchet at the top of the handles to control the expansion of the arms of the dilator. One arm of the dilator is engraved with the text 'HATRICK'. The second arm of the dilator is engraved with the text 'LONDON'.

"HATRICK'/'LONDON'

destructive instruments, obstetrics

Porcelain figurine of a doctor holding a baby. The figure is male in appearance, and is wearing a long white coat which is enclosed at the collar and extends below the knees. The figure is wearing brown trousers and black shoes, and is standing upright with legs together. The figure has black hair, an exaggerated protruding nose, and has a serious expression, looking slightly upwards. The figure is holding a baby by the waist in his right hand, supporting the baby's feet with his left hand. A small Certificate of Origin is attached to the figure's left arm by a short length of green ribbon. The certificate is signed by the artist and indicates the piece was made in Italy. The base of the statue, between the figure's feet, is painted with the inscription 'PoG'. Underside of base is painted with the inscription '72/17'1/ITALY'.

Metal statue of a figure holding a baby. Figure and baby take the form of stick figures, with thin metal bodies and hexagonal bolts for their heads. The larger figure is holding the baby by ankles in its right hand, dangling the baby head down in front of its torso. Sticker on underside of base of statue reads 'Handcrafted/By/ROCK CREEK/METAL CRAFT/P.O Box 39/Hansen, Idaho 83334/USA'.

Porcelain figurine of a woman holding a baby. The woman is wearing a blue dress, with a blue floral pattern, underneath a white medical coat. She has blonde hair which is tied loosely behind her, and white slip on shoes. She is holding the baby in front of her chest, with the baby's back leaning against her left forearm and the baby's head cradled in her left hand. Her right hand is supporting the baby from beneath. The baby is loosely wrapped in a white blanket, with its torso visible. The woman is standing next to a small table which supports a set of baby weighing scales and a bottle of talc next to the scales. A cloth trails down from the table to the floor. There is a manufacturing mark on the back of the base of the statue. The top row of text is obscured, but the remaining test on the mark reads 'porcellane/PRINCIPE/MADE IN ITALY'. A small Certificate of Origin tag is attached to the weighing scales by a small, thin cord. Sticker underneath the base of the statue reads 'BELLINI/PONTE VECCHIO/FIRENZE'.

This is believed to be a figurine of Queen Victoria. Staffordshire pottery began to be produced in the 1840s, at the beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria, and the Queen and her family were popular subjects for depiction in pottery.

Painted ceramic figurine of a woman holding a baby. The woman is wearing a dark blue dress with gold lapels and a white frilled collar, and a decorative gold pattern at the hem. The woman is also wearing a white bonnet with gold bow at the top and a red flower at the front, white gloves, and yellow slippers. The woman has short, dark coloured hair visible beneath the bonnet, and rosy cheeks. She is seated on a stool and cushion, and is holding a baby on her knee. The baby is dressed in a long white gown, with a hood. Sticker beneath the base of the statue carries the handwritten number '44'.

This piece is made of a stone called greenstone in New Zealand English, known as pounamu in Maori. Hei-tiki are considered taonga (treasures) by Maori.

Stone carving of a Maori hai-tiki. The carving is made of green stone, and depicts a figure with both hands on its thighs and a head tilted to one side, with big eyes.

This piece is possibly an Inuit sculpture from Alaska.

Small stone sculpture of a mother and child, carved from a single piece of soft stone. Sculpture depicts a kneeling figure, with jacket and scarf, holding a baby bundled in cloths in front of them. The sculpture is made of dark, relatively soft stone. The base is carved with a number, '30107' and additional text which may be the name of the artist.

This piece is likely African in origin.

Serpentine stone sculpture of a mother and child, carved from a single piece of stone. Sculpture depicts of two semi-abstract figures, one big and one small, joined at the arms and the base. Made of dark coloured stone.

This piece may originally have been Indian in origin. It was purchased by the donor at the Oxford Street Market in Paddington, Sydney.

Small ceramic figurine of a woman giving birth, attended by a doctor. Scene depicts a woman in a white gown lying on her back an obstetric table, with her knees up and feet flat on the table. A doctor dressed in white is sitting on a chair at the end of the table, between the patients legs, with arms raised ready to receive a baby. Both figures in the scene have brown skin and black hair. A word is engraved on the underside of the base of the figurine, which may be the name of the artist, but it is illegible.

obstetric delivery

Michael Ricker was a renowned American pewter artist. His most famous piece, entitled 'Park City', was a 30 foot by 10 foot miniature town depicting life at the turn of the 19th century. It was completed in 1986 and presented to former President Gerald Ford. Ford graciously accepted the "key" to Park City and promised a home for the masterpiece in the Smithsonian Institute. (foundantique.com)

Pewter sculpture featuring an obstetrician and an antenatal patient. A pregnant woman is lying on a low bench, with her left hand resting on her stomach, and her right arm by her side. She is wearing a dress and shoes, and has her eyes closed. To her right stands the figure of on obstetrician, wearing trousers, a short sleeved shirt, stethoscope and gloves. He is standing straight with his arms at his sides. The entire sculpture is silver in colour.

obstetrics

This is a rare and hazardous obstetric complication, occurring approximately once every 90000 deliveries. It usually results in a low survival rate for the twin that presents first, with a stillborn rate over 50%. This piece is believed to be from South America, and is either from Colombia or Peru.

Ceramic childbirth scene with three figures. At centre, a woman lies on a table giving birth. A figure wearing a hat stands to her right, resting their hand on her upper chest in a gesture of support. On her left, a gloved man with receding hairline and a moustache is leaning over her abdomen and is extracting two babies from her womb.

obstetric delivery

This piece bears an export mark associated with Arnart Imports. Arnart was an importer and distributor, rather than a manufacturer. It is likely that this is a Pucci porcelain piece, distibuted and sold by Arnart.

Porcelain figurine of a male doctor holding a newborn baby. The figure has grey hair and is wearing an unbuttoned white surgical gown. Beneath the gown the figure is wearing brown, striped trousers, a blue shirt, a red tie and black shoes. The buttons on the shirt and his belt buckle are golden coloured. The figure is wearing gold framed glasses with round frames, and is smiling. The figure is standing with his left hand in the pocket of his surgical coat, while holding a baby in his right hand by its left leg. The baby is head down and facing away from the doctor figure. The figurine is standing on a oval shaped base and there is a gold coloured, abstract, decorative embellishment at the front of the base. There is a stamp on the underside of the base of the figurine consisting of the letter 'A' below a stylised crown. The number '44/768' is printed on the base below this stamp. A retail sale tag is tied to the right arm of the doctor figure with a small piee of orange ribbon. The tag reads 'TREASURES/TODAY/HEIRLOOMS/TOMORROW'.

non-fiction

healthcare

George Zoltan Lefton, a Hungarian immigrant who came to the United States in 1939, was the driving force behind Lefton China. Although he began his career in clothing and sportswear, his porcelain collecting interest led to the formation of the Lefton Company in 1940. Headquartered in Chicago, the company was a wholesale and marketer of ceramic goods. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Lefton helped his friend Nunome, a Japanese American, board up his business to avoid looting. When the war ended, Nunome introduced Lefton to Japanese ceramic manufacturers during the Japanese occupation. Lefton was one of the first American businessmen to work with these manufacturers. (WorthPoint)

Porcelain figurine of a doctor holding a baby. The doctor has black hair, is of male appearance, and is dressed in surgical attire, consisting of a short sleeved white surgical gown and cap, brown trousers and black and white shoes. There is a glove protruding from the pocket of the gown at the left hip. The doctor is holding a baby by its ankles in his left hand, and is holding his right hand against the baby's bottom. The baby is crying. The figure is seated on the edge of a stool, and standing on a brown coloured base. There is a copyright symbol (a c inside a circle) printed on the underside of the base of the statue, along with the text 'geo.z.Lefton/THE O.B.' Sticker attached to underside of base reads 'Lefton/TRADE MARK/EXCLUSIVES/JAPAN'.

obstetrics

Enduron (methylclothiazide) was a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention. Its use has been discontinued. This object was likely produced as a promotional item by the manufacturers of Enduron.

Porcelain figurine of a doctor holding a baby. The doctor has brown hair, is of male appearance, and is dressed in surgical attire, consisting of a white surgical gown and cap. There are some areas of blue detailing on the gown. Blue trouser cuffs and black shoes are visible below the gown. The doctor is holding a baby by its ankles in his left hand, and is holding his right hand against the baby's bottom. The baby is facing to the side, head pointing towards the ground. The figure is standing on a square plinth. Writing printed on the front of the plinth reads 'OBSTETRICIAN/"I just delivered/a president." Writing printed on either side of the plinth reads 'ENDURON/methylclothiazide'. Writing printed on the back of the plinth reads 'ABBOTT 1972'. Sticker attached to underside of statue reads 'THE COBID CORP'.

obstetrics

The writing is unclear, but the name of the artist for this piece may be Bessi.

Colourful porcelain figurine of a doctor holding a monkey. The doctorhas yellow hair and is wearing a white coat, with a white substance on their hands resembling gloves. They are wearing bright green and orange striped pants below the gown, and green high heeled shoes. The doctor is holding a monkey by its ankles in their left hand, and is holding the palm of his right hand on the monkey's bottom. The doctor is standing behind a small white crib, which is covered with a blue and white patterned blanket. The maker's name 'BESSI'(?) and the word 'ITALY' are hand painted on the underside of the crib.

obstetrics

Porcelain bisque figurine of a doctor holding a baby. The doctor is male, with brown hair and a moustache. He is wearing a white surgical gown and cap, with brown trouser cuffs and black shoes visible below the gown. The doctor is holding a baby by its ankles in his left hand, and is holding his right hand with the palm facing towards the baby. The baby is facing the doctor, head pointing towards the ground. The figure is supported by a plinth behind the right leg, and is standing on a flat, sandy coloured base.

obstetrics

The origin of this statue is unknown, but it may possibly be German.

Carved wooden figurine of a doctor holding a baby. The doctor is male, and is wearing spectacles and full surgical attire, consisting of a green surgical gown and cap, with a white surgical mask. Brown trouser cuffs and black shoes are visible below the gown. The doctor is holding a baby by its ankles in his left hand, and is holding his right hand as if about to pat hit the baby on the bottom. The baby is facing the doctor, head pointing towards the ground. Sticker on base of figurine bears the handwritten initials 'MW'.

obstetrics

Wooden statuette of a doctor. The statuette depicts a male figure in a white coat, with a blue tie, pant cuffs and dark coloured shoes visible beneath the coat. The man has a brown beard and a receding hairline. He is holding a large syringe under his right arm, and is wearing a stethoscope which extends from both ears and is being held in his left hand.

This is a German made figurine, attributed to Jaschke Pretzl. Loosely translated, the label text on the figurine says 'Gynaecologist' and 'Commit to the women tenderly!'. Stamp printed on underside of base says that this is a hand-carved figure.

Carved wooden figurine. Depicts a man in a white coat, with grey trousers, a red vest, blue tie, and white shirt collar, standing with his right hand in his pocket. He is holding a document in front of his chest in his left hand. The figure is atop a small wooden base, one side of which carries handwriting that reads 'Frauenarzt/Kommit den Frauen zart entgegen! ' The underside of the plinth is printed with a stamp that reads 'Figur/Handgeschnitzt/hand-carved'.

'Frauenarzt/Kommit den Frauen zart entgegen!'

obstetrics

Glass statuette of a man holding a baby. The man is dressed as a doctor, in white clothing, and has grey hair, a grey beard, and spectacles. He is holding a baby to his chest, with the baby facing towards the man, head pointing down. The man is holding the baby's ankles in his right hand, and the baby's bottom in his left hand.

This paperweight was created as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations for SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada) in 1994.

Marble paperweight in the shape of a rounded square. Front of paperweight is engraved with a head and shoulders image of two Inuit figures, possibly a mother a child, wearing one coat between them and peering out of the same hood. The paperweight is signed by the artist at bottom right of front of paperweight. Back of paperweight is engraved with the text 'SOGC/1944-1994'. Bottom right of back of paperweight is signed by the artist, alongside the engraved words 'Quebec/Canada'.

The image at the centre of this plaque is the logo of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG). ACOG was founded in 1951, the date featured on this plaque.

Rectangular glass plaque. Centre of plaque features as image of a female figure in a cape, crouching down and holding a baby over her head. The number '1951' in engrave on the plaque to the left of this image. Text encircling this image reads 'THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS/ WOMEN's HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS.'

Part of a large collection of items relating to Dr Paul Mitchell.

Brown leather suitcase. The case is reinforced at each corner, and fastened with spring latches at the front. The case is empty, and the inner surfaces of the case are black.

When acquired, this case held numerous pieces of surgical laparoscopy equipment. The equipment inside the case was used by Dr Noel Clarkson Holmes sometime between 1964-1967, when he was training under Dr Sidney Page at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. This case was purchased at the same time to carry this equipment, and has been repaired several times by Dr Clarkson Holmes.

Brown leather briefcase. Briefcase is fastened by combination lock latches at the front. Inside of the case is lined with yellow felt. There are three accordion style storage pockets with leather trim inside the lid of the briefcase. A strip of orange tape has been attached to the outer top of the case, which carries the handwriting 'DR. N. HOLMES'. A similar strip of white tape is also attached to one side of the briefcase, which carries the handwriting 'Dr. N Holmes'

This sculpture was completed by British artist Gale Pitt as part of a commission.

Sculpture of an obstetrical examination in glazed white ceramic. In the scene, a woman lies on a bed in a gown, whilst a male doctor stands with his hands on her stomach. The doctor has a moustache and is wearing a suit.

This sculpture was completed by British artist Gale Pitt as part of a commission.

Sculpture of a delivery room scene in glazed white ceramic. In the scene, a woman lies on a bed in a gown, whilst a doctor stands next to her holding a baby. The doctor is in surgical attire and wearing a gown, cap and mask.