This 19th century serrated curette is documented as being used for the enucleation of myomas or the removal of cancerous growths in the uterus.

It was also used as a ‘last resort’ for the piecemeal removal of a foetus following obstructed labour. The handle is made from cross-hatched ebony and the stem is marked Al L. Hernstein who took over the Ney York instrument making business from his father Hermann Hernstein in 1867.

• From the Phisick collection