Name/Title
Surgical scalpel blades, Size 23, packet of 12, China National Chemicals Import & Export CorporationEntry/Object ID
2025.1.239Description
A commercial packet of twelve surgical scalpel blades, Size 23, printed in Chinese and English. The label carries the Chinese title for surgical scalpel blades, a "12-piece pack" designation, the exporting company in both languages, "MADE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA," "SIZE 23," and a line illustration of a number-23 blade (the large curved "belly" blade that mounts on a number-4 scalpel handle).Use
Stores among the medical supplies of Leopoldo Arús GálvezCollection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collectionMade/Created
Manufacturer
China National Chemicals Import & Export CorporationPlace
City
ShanghaiCountry
People's Republic of ChinaContinent
AsiaNotes
The blade-making factory itself is not named on the packet.
DATE / PERIOD: Not dated; PRC, c. 1960s–1970s (estimated). Two clues support this: the exporter name dates from roughly 1961 onward, and the label uses traditional Chinese characters (for example the traditional forms of "import-export," "manufacture," and "pack"), which export packaging retained into the 1960s–70s even as simplified characters spread domestically. This remains an estimate.
ORIGIN: People's Republic of China (exported via Shanghai). Specific manufacturing plant not stated.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
Chinese title for surgical scalpel blades; "12-piece pack" (Chinese); exporting company in Chinese and English ("China National Chemicals Import & Export Corporation, Shanghai Branch"); "SIZE 23"; "MADE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA"; line illustration of a Size 23 blade marked "23."
Languages: Chinese (traditional characters) and English.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Leopoldo Arús GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
preservationPlace
City
ShanghaiCountry
People's Republic of ChinaContinent
AsiaNotes
exportResearch Notes
Notes
This packet documents the early PRC export channel for medical sundries, in which broad state trading corporations such as the chemicals corporation handled diverse goods before fully specialized medical-export entities (like the SMIC company) took over.
Size 23 is a large curved blade for a number-4 handle, used for major incisions.
Most likely obtained through PRC–Cuba state trade.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
June 2, 2026Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 18, 2026