Ruminant bezoar (bovid) - Lot 143

Ruminant bezoar (bovid) Early 20th century, from an Alsatian collection H. Total 7 cm H. 6.5 cm Bezoars have been rare, prized and sought-after since the dawn of time. The word "bezoar" is a Persian term meaning "counter-poison". In the Middle Ages, these talismans were traded at a premium, some reaching almost the price of a kingdom (like "Unicorn horns", the famous Narwhal teeth). Circled in silver, they were supposed to "suck out" poison when immersed in soup or other liquid foods. In the event of poisoning, magicians, doctors, bonesetters and other charlatans would administer it pulverized in wine. In fact, it was said that possessing the precious stone was enough to be safe from bad luck. Bezoar has been mentioned in European medical writings since the 15th century. An object of scientific curiosity with medicinal virtues, it is an integral part of curiosity cabinets. Here are a few examples: Austria's Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg was fascinated by the strange and supernatural. In his cabinet of curiosities, he kept precious specimens including dried toads, mandrake roots and bezoars. A depressive, the prince believed in the power of powdered bezoar to cure his melancholy! Cardinal de Richelieu, minister to King Louis XIII, wrote to the Carthusian General: "I also thank you for your good bezoar, which came to me at the right time to pull me out of a rather unfortunate illness". In Molière's comedy Le Malade Imaginaire, the patient is given "a cordial and preservative potion, made with twelve grains of bezoar". The bezoar is also used by Harry Potter in "The Half-Blood Prince". Severus Snape, the magic potions teacher at Hogwarts, teaches the virtues of the stomach pearl to apprentice wizards. Harry will later use it to save his friend Ron from drinking a poisoned drink. - CONSULTANT: Louis CARION - 06 22 53 38 67