German Grave Latin Brass Rubbing. Depicts a figure in prayer with fine clothing, a money purse, and a small dog at his feet. The inscription that was rubbed at the bottom reads: "Hic iacet Johannes Rulche generosus qui obiit decimo die mensis May Anno Domini MCCCCLXXXVI," which is Latin for "Here lies the nobleman John Rulche, who died on the 10th day of the month of May in the year of our Lord 1486." The resting place for Johannes Rulche is in a burial vault within the Sülchenkirche (Sülchen Church) in Rottenburg, Germany. This vault is designed as the final resting place for the Bishops of Rottenburg and is located in the basement of the church. 

Overall Size: 54 x 30 in. 

Sight Size: 41 x 19 3/4 in. 

Brass rubbing was originally a largely British enthusiasm for reproducing onto paper monumental brasses, commemorative brass plaques found in churches, and other surfaces usually found on the floor or walls of medieval buildings or even older structures. It was particularly popular in Britain because of the large number of medieval brasses surviving there from between the 13th to 16th Centuries, more than in any other country. The concept of recording textures of things is more generally called making a rubbing, or frottage, which is thought to be the most ancient technique of making reproductions still in use. What distinguishes rubbings from frottage is that rubbings are meant to reproduce the form of something being transferred, whereas frottage is usually only intended to use a general texture. 

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.