Antique Bloodletting Set and Cupping Glasses for Medical Use in Original Case. 19th–20th Century

Antique Bloodletting Set with Cupping Glasses for Medical Use in Original Case. 19th20th Century

This intriguing item, in very good condition, is a set used for performing bloodletting on patients. Over a hundred years old, it is a collectors item that has come down to us in very good condition. The set is complete, consisting of six glass cupping glasses of various sizes, a fully functional scarificator, and a pump to remove the air from the cupping glasses and thus create a vacuum. All pieces are in good condition, although the pump does not work: the leather piece at the end of the plunger is deteriorated. However, it can be replaced with a similar rubber piece to restore its functionality.

Vacuum cupping therapy is an ancient technique dating back to the Mesopotamian era (3,000 B.C.), when ancient shamans used it to extract the spirits responsible for illnesses from the patients body. It was also used in places as diverse as Egypt, India, and Greece, where Hippocrates left written instructions for its application. In the 20th century, its use was revived, particularly in alternative medicine. Today, its benefits are controversial, with some praising its merits and others claiming that the therapy has no effect on patients.

Setting aside its medical use, this cupping set is of great interest due to its age, beauty, and excellent condition. The cups come in pairs of different sizes: there are two small, two medium, and two large pieces. The glass cups are original, as are the metal fittings. The case also contains a small metal device whose spring mechanism reveals sharp blades: it is a scarificator used to promote bleeding for the purpose of bloodletting or phlebotomy. The vacuum pump, for its part, retains all its metal parts and the flexible cannula; like the scarificator and the cupping glasses, the metal is smooth and shiny. The case, meanwhile, is in very good condition: lined with black faux leather, it retains its original handle and clasp.

Its scientific significance and age make this set of cupping glasses a very special piece, perfect for completing the finest collection of medical antiques.

Dimensions (case open): Width: 36 cm. Depth: 40 cm.