A cased set of quality Liston knives made by the French instrument maker W. Carter who was in business in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Liston knives were used in limb amputation and were renowned for their sharp steel. One of the knives is double edged and is marked “W Carter No 24 Rue de l’Odéon” the second knife is single edged and is unmarked but is unquestionably a pair. The knives are made from polished steel with crosshatched ebony handles and have been manufactured to the highest quality. They are still razor sharp. Housed in a fitted velvet lined embossed leather case secured by two catches.

• From the Lusignan collection