( fl 1534–65). Swiss or German designer, cabinetmaker and wood-engraver. His mark consisted of the initials H. S. on either side of two arrows surmounted by a set square. Although these heraldic charges appeared in the armorial bearings of the Meichssner family of Nuremberg, it is unlikely that he belonged to it. It is contended that he could have been Hans Stegel ( fl c. 1500) of Nuremberg or, more plausibly, Heini Seewagen ( fl 1522; d after 1544) of Berne, who was in Italy in 1522. All five known wood-engravings marked with the H. S. monogram depict furnishings, apparently in the style of Augsburg. Each appears on a leaf of which the obverse side is printed with an engraving by another anonymous artist, Master H. G. ( fl 1563–5). As H. G. appears to have been a Nuremberg artist, it is thought that H. S. worked in the same city. Several Swiss public collections have furnishings bearing the monogram of Master H. S., including a wardrobe (1565), two chests (Zurich, Schweizer. Landesmus.) and wooden wall panels (Zum goldenen Hirschen, St Gall; now in St Gall, Hist. Mus.). These pieces were generally decorated with views of architecture, executed in marquetry in an apparently Venetian style, which supports the contention that Master H. S. was Heini Seewagen.

Part of the Masters, anonymous, and monogrammists family

• H.S., Master
  • Germany, §VI, 2: Furniture, 1510–1650