Auction 29
High Period, Natural History & Colonial Art
By Templum Fine Art Auctions
Contact auction house
Jul 6, 2023
Carrer del Rosselló, 193, 08036 Barcelona - España, Spain
Terms of sale
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LOT 548:
Realistic full-size reproduction of the German Mask of Shame or Grotesque Mask, according to German Medieval models ...
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Start price:
€
600
Estimated price :
€2,000 - €3,000
Buyer's Premium: 22%
More details
VAT: 21%
On commission only
Users from foreign countries may be exempted from tax payments, according to the relevant tax regulations
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Realistic full-size reproduction of the German Mask of Shame or Grotesque Mask, according to German Medieval models from the 15th century, mid-20th century
With head in wax. For much of the Middle Ages and early modern history, petty crimes such as injury or infidelity were commonly punished by public humiliation. Offenders were also sometimes marked with physical burns or a cut on their earlobe, so it could easily be seen by anyone in the future that they were not someone who could be trusted in business. The city of Rothenburg stands out, where they had a small special cage to lock up the punished in a public square to humiliate them and allow mockery, and sometimes to throw food and anything rotten at them. Other punishments were more mobile: people had to wear shame masks or iron shoes and parade through the market and streets. These items were often fitted with bells, to announce the arrival of the person with the ringing of the fool's bell. Neck fiddles were also commonly used. Both for individuals and for couples where two arguing neighbors or couples would stay on the neck violin until they settle disputes. Origin: private collection, Barcelona.
