Iron artificial arm, Europe, 1501-1562

Artificial right hand, iron, ? owned by Gotz von Berlichingen, 16th century

Two iron artificial arms and an amputation saw. Previously, it was thought that the arms may have been owned by Gotz von Berlichingen (1480-1562), the German knight and adventurer. Artificial limbs such as these were expensive items made by armourers, and they allowed wearers, who had lost a limb in combat, to continue with their fighting career. One of the arms (A121449) is believed to date from 1560-1600, the other (A634412) is a more recent copy. The ornate amputation saw (A241432) is from the 16th century.