Hühnerdieb, Bronze fountain monument in Hühnermarkt, Aachen, Germany
Hühnerdieb is a bronze sculpture on Hühnermarkt square in Aachen, showing a thief who realizes he accidentally stole a rooster instead of a chicken. The figure stands on a limestone base decorated with small water-spouting chick sculptures around it.
The original work was created in 1913 by sculptor Hermann Joachim Pagels, but was melted down in 1943 during World War II. The current version was rebuilt in 1953 using Pagels' plaster mold.
The sculpture shows a humorous scene tied to the traditional activity on the historic poultry market. It has become part of the local identity of this square through its playful take on everyday deception.
The sculpture is located on a central square and is free to visit year-round. The site is easy to reach on foot and offers good viewing angles from several directions.
The water-spouting chick figures beneath the statue were among the few elements that survived wartime destruction. This detail shows how the city managed to preserve artistic creations even after severe damage.
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