Pieter Xavery: The 'vierschaar' of Leiden (1673)

(Lakenhal, Leiden, The Netherlands)

This set of 5 terracotta statues represent a tribunal of the city of Leiden, called a 'vierschaar' in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages until 1800. Top left is the court clerk. Next to him in the middle is the 'schout' or sheriff. He acts as the chairman and the prosecutor. Top right are the 'schepenen'. These are members of the city council and are acting here as judge and jury. Below left is the smiling winning party, below right the losing party. Statues from 1673.