Vintage medical battery device wooden box switch retro decor

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

An antique medical battery-type device, visible in a hinged wooden box. The top surface features a set of period electrical components: a cylinder covered with green felt, several metal terminals, a contact lever, and a white ceramic plate supporting a knurled knob and a metal arm. The front panel reveals an engraved label "INTERRUPTEUR" (SWITCH) fixed under three metal rotary knobs. The entire assembly exhibits a technical aesthetic typical of the late 19th or early 20th century, characteristic of electrotherapy or medical galvanization devices of that period.

The rectangular box has a varnished mahogany brown finish, with visible metal hinges on the open lid. The electrical components, with a patinated appearance, show green oxidation on some metal parts, indicating ancient use. The green felt cylinder occupies the right half, while the control area, on the left, includes the ceramic plate, a knurled knob, and a metal contact arm, typical of electrical stimulation devices used in medical or scientific settings.

The visible terminals and levers are made of metal with a matte or oxidized finish, some elements being screwed onto the top panel of the box. No brand markings or specific references are visible in this view, apart from the "INTERRUPTEUR" inscription. The ensemble has an authentic appearance, typical of medical or scientific instruments from the early 20th century, with a configuration faithful to portable medical battery models used for experiments or electrotherapeutic treatments.

The box is presented open, revealing the bare wooden interior of the lid and the compartmentalized structure designed to house the device. The absence of modern components (no plastic, no electronic display) confirms the antiquity of the piece. The wooden surface shows some traces of wear, scratches, and age marks, reinforcing the vintage and authentic character of the object.

This type of device was generally used in medical practices or for teaching, allowing the generation of a weak current for muscle stimulation applications or scientific demonstration. The compact design, the presence of a manual switch, and the arrangement of the terminals attest to a design conceived for portability and robustness.

Condition

Used item sold as is. Presence of patina, oxidation on metal parts, visible wear on wood and felt. Components not tested, sold as a decorative item or technical curiosity.

Did you know? Portable medical batteries, like this one, were popular instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for applying electric currents in electrotherapy treatments. They generally used simple elements to control the intensity and frequency of the current and were gradually replaced by safer and more precise electrical devices in the 20th century.

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Keywords: medical battery