Two 17th century illustrations of dragons

KIRCHER, Athanasius.

[The dragons of Mons Pilanti & the Tatzlwurm.]
Amsterdam, Johannes Janssonius van Waesberge, 1682. 200 x 180mm, set in letterpress.

Two illustrations on one plate, from Kircher's masterpiece, 'Mundus Subterraneus' (Subterranean World).
Above is a scene of man man trying to catch a winged dragon on Mount Pilatus, above Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, because they were believed to have healing powers.
Below is a swordsman in a cave, fighting the Tatzlwurm or Stollwurm ('tunnel worm'), a winged dragon with poisonous breath that terrorised the peasants of the Alpine regions of Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland, eating cattle and lost children.


Stock ID : 20707