Europe 1500 - 1650 | |
Origin : Private collection Scotland |
This is a device invented by the Spanish Inquisition. Also called "Spanish A-frame " or "cigogna" ("stork" in italian) , it consisted of a metal A-shaped frame, four to five feet high, with an attached collar at the peak, two cuffs at about the middle of the two vertical members for the wrists, and two cuffs at the bottom of the members for the ankles.
It was mostly used by the Inquisition in Spain and Italy , but there is also one specimen to be found in the Tower of London !