The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) holds a rare set of six anatomical tables, which are amongst the oldest surviving human anatomy preparations in Europe.
The nerves, veins and arteries on display were dissected at the University of Padua’s famous anatomy theatre in the 17th century, and skillfully arranged on varnished wooden panels. These tables were probably created as teaching aids for medical students, or as experiments in preserving human tissue. Their production would have required a huge amount of time and extraordinary skill.
Sir John Finch, an English physician, anatomist and diplomat, is believed to have brought the tables to England and they were presented to the RCP in 1823.