Centuries-old Torture Instruments For Sale

If you've ever thought that the living room could really use a chair covered in spikes, or that you'd love to get your grandmother another tongue clamp for her collection, an upcoming auction in New York may be for you. Guernsey's Auction house has 252 different torture implements for sale, most which date back to the 17th century or earlier. The entire collection is estimated to be worth $3-$4 million and some individual pieces come with rare books showing "early engravings of scenes of torture." Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey's Auctions, said, "These are devices created to cause pain ... very diabolical devices. There is one pretty much to cause pain to any part of the body. It's fascinating but terrible."

Obligitory Post

[tuxgeek]

I would imagine this auction will be tops for the former VP Dick Cheney
Some items may even bear his mark as the original designer from way back when he was known as the infamous Dr Dick, international man of misery and sodomizer of chickens.

Re:

[Nutria]

The contrast between your comment and your signature is tellingly insightful.

Redecorating

[Skelosh]

Just what I was looking for to put in my new Marquis de Sade theme room.

Speaker of the House

[operagost]

Following this announcement, Nancy Pelosi called a press conference accusing Guernsey's of lying about whether these devices were used for torture. She claimed that she was merely informed that they could be used to extract information.

These would be fun to make

[nrrd]

I've been getting into blacksmithing in the last few years, and these are interesting. I wish the had some more picture available online.

There are all sorts of old metal goods that are really neat looking. I tend to make roughly finished stuff, but I really like the look of olf highly-finished stuff like tools, knives, and medical equipment.

If anyone is interested, here's a good site for the medical stuff:

http://medicalantiques.com/medical/Medical_Antiques_Index.htm [medicalantiques.com]