USA: 'Slave Restraint Hardware'. Iron Mask, Neck Collar, Leg Shackles and Spurs, Thomas Branagan, 'The Penitential Tyrant or slave trader reformed', New York, 1807

This engraving shows 'the front and profile view of a slave's head, with the mouth-piece and necklace, the hooks round which are placed to prevent an escapee when pursued in the woods, and to hinder them from laying down the head to procure rest'. 'At A [see letter over mouth of figure on the right] is a flat iron which goes into the mouth, and so effectually keeps down the tongue, that nothing can be swallowed, not even the saliva, a passage for which is made through holes in the mouth-plate'. On the lower right is an enlarged view of this mouth piece which 'when long worn, becomes so heated as frequently to bring off the skin along with it'. The lower left shows leg shackles used on the slave ships; also, 'spurs used on some plantations in Antigua' (placed on the legs to prevent slaves from absconding).

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History