This iron instrument probably of Dutch origin already known in the XVII century is not really an instrument of torture, but it was used to expose people guilty of misdemeanors, (such as blasphemy, quarrelsomeness, disturbance of the King’s peace) to the jeers of the crowd. It was placed on the neck of the guilty person and the fingers were held in the special vice.

 

 

 

Private Collection

Museum of the Royal House of Portugal