Antique 17th Century SCOLD'S BRIDLE BRANK Wrought Iron

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Payment | Policies Antique 17th Century SCOLD'S BRIDLE BRANK Wrought Iron This item can be disturbing to some people. Please back out if you don't want to read or see an old antiquity that is a punishment or torture device that was used in the 1600's. ANTIQUE SCOLDS SCOLD'S BRIDLE BRANK WROUGHT IRON AUTHENTIC ANTIQUE This item was documented and appraised 30 years ago - the appraisal then was $275.00. Please click on any picture to Supersize this is a rare item that should probably be in a museum or in another type of auction format - one dealing with Renaissance Medieval Torture or Punishment items. this is known as a Scold's Bridle or Brank - it was documented and appraised by Lyle Downy Appraisals in Santa Clara California as rare and valued at $275.00 at the time....30 years ago. I am sure it worth alot more now. The brank is described simply as an iron framework; which was placed on the head, enclosing it in a kind of cage; it had in front a plate of iron, which, either sharpened or covered with spikes, was so situated as to be placed in the mouth of the victim, and if she attemped to move her tongue in any way whatever, it was certain to be shockingly injured. With the brank on her head she was coducted through streets, led by a chain, held by one of the town's officials, an object of contempt, and subjected to the jeers of the crowd and often left to their mercy. In some towns it was custom to chain the culprit to pillory, whipping post or market cross. She thus suffered for telling her mind to some petty tyrant in office, or speaking plainly to a wrong doer, or for taking to task a lazy and perhaps a drunken husband. A scolds bridle, or brank was an instrument employed by our forefathers for punishing scolds. It is also sometimes called a gossip's bridle, and in the Macclesfield town records it is designated "a brydle for a curste queane." In the term "queane" we have the old English synonym for a woman; not the chief woman, the Queen. The brank is not of such great antiquity as the ducking stool, for the earliest mention of it we have been able to find in this courntry is int he Corporation records of Macclesfield, of the year 1623. At an earlier period, we have traces of it in Scotland. In Glasgow burgh records, it is stated that in 1574 two scolds were condemned to be "branket." t is a loop at the top of this one for the chain as mentioned. the sides and top back are hinged. I have shown pictures. I am sure you will get the idea how this is used and how it was made. Email me if you need any more information or the measurements. Dare I say EXCELLENT CONDITION .....I wish I could say it was never used... but who knows.................. With some antiques I think "I wish it could talk" with this item...."some things are best left unheard" Winning bidder pays shipping and insurance of $14.00 in the United States. International shipping to be determined at the end of auction. I think this item needs to go back home to England or Scotland I accept PayPal, money orders, cashiers checks & personnal checks. When auction has ended, if you prefer to pay with paypal, look in the item description for shipping charges to any place in the U.S. and you can pay immediately. International shipping will be determined shortly after auction ends. Payment Back to Top I accept the following forms of payment: PayPal Money Order Personal Check Policies Return Policy Back to Top You can return your item within 7 days for any reason. Please email me and let me ... read more

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