Specimen P1535, being “the skull of a young boy with a second imperfect skull attached to its anterior fontanelle,” known colloquially as “The Two-headed Boy of Bengal.”
The child in question was born in 1783, and was roughly four years old at the time of death, which was reportedly caused by a bite from a cobra. The child's parents displayed him as a freak exhibit, keeping him
hidden under a blanket until the agreed price was received.
[detail enlargement]
• This print received a materials award from Dr. Roberta Waddell, emerita Curator at New York Public Library, during jurying for Boston Printmakers 2009 North American Print Biennial
