Wawel Heads - model B

sketchfab

Thirty preserved wooden heads hang from the ceiling of the Envoys' Room in Wawel Royal Castle. These artifacts date back to the early 20th century when their current arrangement was created. Unfortunately, the original design is a mystery because the only record we have is a contract signed with Master Sebastian Tauerbach in 1535. This document details 194 carved heads and 194 matching rosettes that Tauerbach was hired to craft, but it fails to specify how they should be arranged. The first ceiling was destroyed by fire in 1540, leaving us wondering whether the preserved heads were created before or after the blaze. Were they part of the original decoration, awaiting installation when disaster struck, or did Tauerbach create them later as a replacement for the burned-out Envoys' Room? Only a fraction of the original ceiling's decorations have survived to this day, making it challenging to decipher the intended message behind their design.