Freud's Psychoanalytic Couch

Freud's couch, upon which his patients would comfortably recline during psychoanalytic sessions, was normally covered by an oriental rug throw. Underneath the throw, it is a plain and simple structure, raised by a scroll and pad at one end, though fully upholstered with springs and  horse hair stuffing.

The couch is rather short, so that the patient would not lie horizontally, but with the head quite high, supported by several cushions and pillows.

According to Freud's wife Martha, in an interview  with Princess Marie Bonaparte in 1938, the couch was given to Freud by a grateful patient, a Madame Benvenisti, in about 1890.
 

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