In 1867 De Stuers saw a raven in Maastrichter Brugstraat without any inscription, but he did not mention a year, so that the animal at Boschstraat 55 probably does not qualify. This raven, which bears the date 1700, was supposed to have had an accompanying stone with the inscription IN THE RAVEN. But it is also possible that this name refers to the house name - of Muntstraat 28? -, which was later used as the inscription on the gable stone. Another possible place of origin is Platielstraat 20, for which however another raven is a candidate, namely IN DEN RAEF, which has been relocated at Tongersestraat 16.
The raven is reputedly the unlucky bird. It was often a symbol of illness, war and death. To ward off the misfortune connected with this bird, people used to keep a live one in a cage or put its image on a stone or sign in front of the house.
Do you have additional information about this stone or a better suggestion for the translation? Please share it with us using the form below. We will carefully evaluate your contribution and keep you informed.
In order to make the funding of running costs possible now and in the future, please support us and register as a donor to our foundation.
Support us
