Headfooter Creature with Owl – Hieronymus Bosch Statue (JB27)

Symbolism and Fantasy in the Hieronymus Bosch Statue Series

This Hieronymus Bosch statue brings to life one of the artist’s most curious inventions: the Headfooter Creature with Owl. Found in the Hermit Saints Triptych, this small, puzzling hybrid stands out even among Bosch’s most imaginative beings. The figure has no torso at all; instead, its wrapped head sits directly upon two bare feet. Perched on the creature’s turbaned head is an owl, a symbol that in Bosch’s era suggested deception rather than wisdom. In this carefully crafted statue, Parastone translates Bosch’s bizarre but meaningful details into a compact sculpture that feels both strange and delightful.

Bosch worked in a turbulent religious climate when churches commissioned elaborate altar triptychs to guide congregations through stories of spiritual struggle. Artists often illustrated temptation, sin, devotion, and heavenly reward. However, Bosch used a visual vocabulary unlike any other painter of his time. Instead of relying solely on naturalistic forms, he filled his paintings with fantasy hybrid creatures drawn from imagination, manuscript legends, devotional literature, and symbolic bestiaries. His creatures were meant to provoke thought, surprise the viewer, and reveal unseen conflicts in the human mind. A Bosch statue like this one offers an intimate look at how the artist expressed these spiritual tensions.

The Headfooter Creature belongs to a wide constellation of imaginative beings found in Bosch’s works. Parastone has recreated many of them, giving collectors a chance to build a tabletop universe inspired by Bosch’s visions. Some of the most beloved pieces include the towering Tree Man (JB21), one of Bosch’s most iconic characters; the whimsical Egg Monster Bird (JB10); and the rhythmic and joyful Owl Dancer (JB28). Each piece carries the same imaginative spark that defines Bosch’s art.

Collectors often enjoy pairing this Headfooter Creature with the alternate version, Headfooter (JB04), which offers a slightly different interpretation of the hybrid form. Others like placing it near the Bird with Letter (JB25) , a creature from the Temptation of Saint Anthony. These combinations bring Bosch’s worlds to life in miniature and make each Hieronymus Bosch statue feel like part of a larger story. To browse the complete set of more than twenty figures, visit our Hieronymus Bosch collection.

Bosch’s influence extended far past the Middle Ages. Surrealist artists in the twentieth century, including Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, recognized Bosch as a visionary long before the term Surrealism existed. His strange hybrids, dreamlike settings, and emotional symbolism inspired them to explore the subconscious mind in their own paintings and sculptures. Standing in front of a Hieronymus Bosch statue today, it’s easy to imagine how modern artists connected with the sense of wonder and unease that lingers in his work. The Headfooter Creature embodies that mixture of fear, humor, and mystery that continues to fascinate viewers centuries later.

People who appreciate imaginative art, medieval symbolism, or unusual figurines often find themselves drawn to Bosch’s world. His creatures look bizarre at first glance, but they always hold deeper meaning. Many customers enjoy arranging several Bosch sculptures together to recreate the layered, bustling scenes of the original paintings. Displaying more than one Hieronymus Bosch statue makes the symbolic conversations between the creatures much more apparent and brings out the charm and strangeness that define his work.

• Adaptation of a painting by Hieronymus Bosch from the Hermit Saints Triptych. Part of the Parastone Museum Collection. PN JB27.
• Includes a color description card and a miniature printed card replica (approx. 3.5" W × 4" H) of the Hermit Saints Triptych.
• Statue size: 3.9" H × 2.4" W × 2.25" D. Weight: 0.4 lbs.

The Hermit Saints Triptych depicts three Christian hermits—Saint Anthony, Saint Jerome, and Saint Giles—who chose solitude in order to focus on spiritual discipline. Bosch surrounded them with strange figures like the Headfooter Creature to illustrate the pressures and temptations that challenge devotion. Through this Hieronymus Bosch statue, we see both the humor and the symbolism that make Bosch’s art unforgettable. Parastone brings those qualities forward, allowing today’s collectors to appreciate Bosch’s imagination from every angle.

for more reading from the web, we suggest:

• Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice – Hermit Saints Triptych Overview
• Museo del Prado – Hieronymus Bosch Artist Biography and Works