Moneybox in the form of a skull, wood, iron, Central Europe (Germany?), 18th century.
Monstrance reliquary in the form of a crucifix with relics of the Holy Cross, gilt bronze, silver-plated, Central Europe, 18th century.
A rococo double-sided reliquary in the shape of a cross with decorative three-leafed arm ends, decorated with silver rosettes and ruby-colored glass. The glazed box (ostensorium) contains a metal, glazed capsule. At its very center, against a bright background, are two splinters arranged in a cross. The relic is surrounded by an elaborate decoration made of silver or gilded metal threads twisted into tiny springs and weaves (known as biont). They form the form of a radial nimbus around a central point. The wreath around the relic is decorated with eight pearls (probably river pearls). The whole was composed on a silk or parchment pad.
Around the capsule a rich, openwork gloria with a dynamic, asymmetrical rococo composition. The decoration is based on rocaille motifs and fancifully twisted volutes of the C and S type, supplemented with artistic floral details (cartilaginous and bivalve ornament). Surface finely chiseled, with preserved gilding in the recesses of the ornament.
The back of the reliquary has a passion character. The figure of the Crucified Christ (Corpus Christi) is placed here. A decorative rosette with green glass is preserved on the right arm of the cross. Mounting holes and rivets can be seen on the other arms.
Baluster shaft, in a simple geometric form. Oval foot, wide and profiled, decorated with repoussed motifs of leaves and flowers, silvered.
Monstrance, brass with silver-plated elements, France, ca. 1860-1890
Nadziak (war hammer/pick), iron, bronze, wood, Poland, head: 17th century, haft: 18th century.
The head (iron part) is forged from high-carbon steel, terminating on one side in a hammer (blunt end) with a quadrangular cross-section and a distinctly convex collar. This shape mitigated the risk of the weapon slipping off rounded armor surfaces (e.g., cuirasses or helmets) and concentrated the entire impact energy at a single point. On the other side, the iron part is fitted with a beak (spike), massive, arcuately curved downwards, with a thick and wide profile at its base.
A unique feature of this object is the ornamentation of the iron part – exceptionally rare for Polish combat weapons, which are typically unadorned. The decoration consists of vertical brass strips, precisely inlaid (damascened) into grooves cut into the steel. A strip running parallel to the edge is placed on the beak, featuring an engraving resembling a vegetal scroll motif.
On the underside of the iron part, near the haft's socket, a series of marks (blacksmith's marks/ciphers) is stamped, likely representing the signature of a guild master armorer or an inventory number from a former magnate's armory.
The haft, made of hardwood, is set into the head using brass damping sleeves and is clad with bronze sheet, joined with hard copper-based solder. The space between the fittings is covered with black leather. The lower part of the haft terminates in a metal fitting with a through-hole for a loop/ring. This was used for threading a leather loop (sword knot) worn on the hussar's wrist, preventing the loss of the weapon during a charge.
Weighing 1325 grams with an almost 80-centimeter haft, this specimen is unequivocally defined as a combat offensive weapon of national cavalry (hussars, pancerni), not a light, civilian walking stick. Nadziaks with such powerful parameters were carried on the horse's saddle (most often under the rider's right thigh) and served as a crucial argument in clashes with heavily armored opponents (e.g., reiters), where a traditional saber proved ineffective against plate armor.
In the 18th century, the weapon underwent professional re-hafting.
Overall length (haft): 78.5 cm. Head length (hammer): 17.5 cm
Natan Korzen (1895 – 1941), Landscape from Kazimierz Dolny overlooking the synagogue, 1930s.
Nathan Gutman (1914 Warsaw – 1990 Paris), Female Nude, oil on cardboard, Paris (?)
Pair of skulls joined by occiputs, wood, Germany, 1635
Patriotic-devotional gorget (ryngraf), silvered copper, painted, Poland, ca. 1768–1772
An exceptional, double-sided military gorget (ryngraf) from the time of the Bar Confederation (1768–1772), crafted in the form of an Amazon shield (crescent shape with raised and rounded corners, known as "buffalo horns").
Two round holes were cut in the upper corners (buffalo horns), around which old patina and traces of copper oxides are visible. These originally served for threading a cord, ribbon, or strap, enabling the gorget (ryngraf) to be suspended on the chest (over armor or a kontusz).
The edges of the shield along its entire perimeter have been carefully folded back (toward the reverse side). The edging not only protected the edges from damaging clothing, but above all significantly stiffened and strengthened the construction made of thick, forged copper sheet. The manner of this finishing bears clear traces of hand hammering.