Rare 16/17th C Bohemian Judge’s Staff “Richterstab”

 

 

 

Medieval justice was generally carried out by the nobility, who had responsibility for the people within their domain. The Richterstab was the Germanic symbol of authority for the judge. It represented the “hand of justice” and was the forerunner of the modern judge’s gavel. There was a tremendous amount of symbolism in the courts, as the proceedings were viewed as an extension of God’s rule and everything had religious meaning. This hand carved fruitwood example has a turned handle with twisted checkered shaft. The end is carved as a hand grasping a spike, often thought to represent the nails used to fix Christ to the Cross. When sentence was passed, the hand was struck on the table or bench like today’s gavel. Such symbols of justice are extremely rare. Overall length 15 ½". Minor restorations and age checking. A similar example is in the Kriminalmuseum, Rothenburg ob der Tauber and is pictured in “Criminal Justice Through the Ages”, page 356. Provenance: Hermann Historica, Munich, 10/2003 Lot 1241.

M524 $2495