Highlights

Death on the lion

Artist
Locality
Central Franconia
Date
1513
Material
Limewood, iron, traces of polychromy
Dimensions
H. 143.5 cm
Location
Saal 15
Inventory Number
MA 3450
Acquisition
Assigned from the former convent at Heilsbronn in 1866

Description

This figure once was the crowning feature of a monumental clock which originally stood in the church choir of Heilsbronn Abbey. On the hour, with a bone, Death struck the bell in the lion's neck, reminding the faithful of the transience of all earthly things. Remains of the iron mechanism that once controlled the movement of Death's jaw and right arm as well as the lion's tongue have been preserved inside the figure.

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