Replica of a 19th-century restraint harness, England, 1930-1940

Replica of leather restraint belt with manacles attached for the wrists. The original, probably from the late 19th or early 20th century, was found around 1930 in a chest in the cellar at Hanwell Asylum, the asylum on the outskirts of London whose superintendant, John Conolly (1794-1866), famously renounced all instruments of mechanical restraint in favor of 'moral treatment,' that is, regular labour under constant close surveillance.

Collection

Science Museum

Inventory Number

3083865

Title

Replica of a 19th-century restraint harness, England, 1930-1940

Object Type

PhysicalObject

Measurements

- width 390 mm; height 10 mm; length 390 mm