Rare “Pear of Anguish” Torture Device, Probably German, 16th/17th C

Description

This extremely rare piece clearly exhibits the history of man=s cruelty to his fellow man. This device was designed to inflict extreme pain and physical damage to its victim, though it was rarely fatal by itself. It consisted of from 2 to 4 tapered leaves, which when closed form a tapered pear shape to insert into a variety of orifices of the victim. This alone could cause severe pain, but the real torture was when the thumb screw on the end was turned, expanding the leaves, in this case, to a maximum diameter of 3 ½” (8.9 cm).The pear was used as punishment for liars, blasphemers, adulterers and various sexual crimes. The type used in the mouth usually varied from those used in the vagina or rectum, which was used on women and homosexual men, respectively. This example is hand forged of iron and consists of 3 leaves, engraved with scales, line border, and what appears to be a devil face (worn). The leaves pivot on rivets at the collar, through which the screw passes. The integral shallow point indicates it is the type likely used in the vagina and anus. The screw is attached with rivets to three short arms, each connected with rivets to a small block fitted to each leaf through a punched square hole and brazed to the leaf with copper. This was the construction method commonly employed during the Middle Ages and Renaissance and not found on later Victorian reproductions. Metal shows lamination, age, and wear, having been cleaned on the outside long ago. The inside, which would have been very difficult to clean, exhibits a dark patina. Overall length 10 1/2″ (26.7 cm) closed. An undoubtedly authentic torture device, much sought after, but rarely encountered on the market. Similar example in the Kriminalmuseum, Rothenburg, ob der Taube in Germany.