Linstock head
Unknown Artist
Linstock head, the two curved branches or arms are of flattened section, finely chased and overlaid with silver and gold, and terminate in two bearded heads in profile, with curved horse-like necks and female breasts below. They are split to serve as cocks to hold the match but have never been pierced for thumb-screws. The lightly chiselled branches are decorated with small cartouches containing the trophies and a male and female head. They are supported on a cylindrical socket with vase-shaped capital, overlaid with vari-coloured gold and silver arabesques, and lightly chiselled laurel leaves at the sides.
Italian, about 1560.
c. 1560
Iron or steel, overlaid in gold and silver
A1329
Images and text © Wallace Collection, 2017
Where you'll find this
The Wallace Collection
Permanent collection
