Corpse Preserver
ManufacturerManufactured by
Disbrow & Van Cleve
RetailerSold by
C. Rogers & Brothers
American
Date1876-1879
MediumBlack walnut, sheet iron, horsehair, glass, brass
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of William C. Ruot
DescriptionCorpse preserver consisting of a two-piece black walnut case insulated with horsehair. The body was laid in the lower half of the case; the top half was then attached, and its galvanized iron tray was filled with ice, resulting in the cooling of the body to preserve it during the mourning period. Two pipes extending through the back end of the case allow for the draining of melt water. The top deck has two hinged access panels for the loading of ice; the forward panel further has a hinged oval portal to allow viewing of the face of the deceased through the glass. Each side and end has a pair of black painted iron handles, and each end has an iron latch for connecting the two sections of the case. A ratchet system allowed the body to be raised or lowered for viewing.
The ratchet handle (b.) is separated from the corpse preserver.
The ratchet handle (b.) is separated from the corpse preserver.
Object number1994.128.1a-b
NotesDate Note: 76-79 based begin date started using spouts, and the end date based on the dissolving of the companySubject Terms
On View
Not on view
