Author: unknown
Date: ca 1688.
Material: Wood, polychrome. Heraldic colours dominate: gold, silver and blue.
Technique: wood carving, polychromy
Dimensions, mm: 2830×2060
Restoration: ca 1898
Wooden epitaph of Baron Gustav von Mengden (17.04.1625 – 16.12.1688).
Baron Gustav von Mengden (1625–1688) was a Swedish Vidzeme Land Marshal, a brave, self-confident and literary gifted figure. His satirical verses De fief Düwelskinder (“Five Children of the Devil”, 1680, Low German) were addressed to Carl XI, the King of Sweden, and the Royal administration in connection with the manor reduction in Vidzeme. Gustav von Mengden was an active opponent of this campaign. Although the satire was published anonymously, the King of Sweden ordered that the author be found but he was forgiven instead of punished. In addition, the culprit received a golden chain as a “symbolic gallows rope”. The collection published in 1686 was also anonymous; it consists of two parts: I. Sonntages Gedanken eines Christen, So sich An Gott Ver-Miethet. II. Der verfolgte errettete und lobsingende David, das ist: Alle Psalmen Davids in Reimen gefasset. The publication ends with praise to the Mengden family coat of arms Auff des Autoris Wapen.
In the centre of Gustav von Mengden’s epitaph composition is the coat of arms of the Mengden family, formed by a four-part shield. Above the shield three crowned helmets. The shield is surrounded along the edges by the Mantling of the helmets as baroque scrolls of acanthus. Supporters on both sides: on the right a griffin with a sword, on the left – a lion with arrows in its talons.
Above the upper edge rise three winged angels holding draperies. The coats of arms of 30 families /one is missing/ are placed along the edges of the drapery around the perimeter.
Below the coat of arms is an inscription plate with the text in German: „Der Hochwohlgehohrne Uhredler, Gestrenge und Grosmanfeste Herr Baron Gustavus von Mengden Erbherr zu Idsel, Lappier, Sinolen, Kussen, Zarnikau, Astran und Abgunst etc. Ihrer Konigl. Maj. zu Schwedwn hochmeritirter General Major zu Pferde und altester Landrath des Furstenthums Lifland, ist gebohren A 1625 den 17 Aprl und A 1688 d.16 Decembr. sanft und selig entschlafen. Seiners Alters 62 Jahr 3 Monat 29 Tage.”