Eiserne Schmiedearbeit, Bodenfund, vermutlich Votivgabe in Form einer menschlichen Figur

Description

According to the "Katalog der Grasseggerschen Sammlung" (Catalogue of the Grassegger Collection) of 1894, this iron figure was found in Unterstall near Neuburg. A related find drawing can be found in the archives of the Historischer Verein Neuburg.

The simple wrought-iron work depicts a human being devoid of any distinguishing gender attributes. Comparable objects have been found in large numbers as votive offerings near churches dedicated to Saint Leonard of Limoges (c. 500-559). Since the Middle Ages, Leonhard has been regarded as the patron saint of prisoners and is symbolised in art with a chain. Over time, the prison chains were reinterpreted as cattle chains, so that Leonhard also became the patron saint of farm livestock. Iron human and animal figures or iron chains that were no longer in use were deposited at Leonhard pilgrimage churches as signs of fulfilled prayer requests or assistance in times of need. The substantial quantities of iron that accumulated as a result were reforged into mighty chains and attached to the outside of the churches. Leonhard, as the "iron master", is associated with this material like no other saint, but iron votive figures are also mentioned in the cults of other saints.

According to legend, Saint Magnus, who is venerated in Unterstall, also has a connection with iron. During his missionary work in the Allgäu, Magnus tamed wild bears with his miraculous abbot's staff ("Magnus' staff"). According to legend, the bears then indicated the presence of an iron deposit to him. There is evidence of a pilgrimage to St. Magnus in Unterstall, which the Neuburg seminarians undertook annually until about 1800 because of the bedbug infestation of their seminary buildings.