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301 A RARE SKULL OF A SOUTH GERMAN ZISCHÄGGE, NUREMBERG, SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY with one-piece skull of ogival form terminating at its apex in a slender finial with baluster moulding, decorated between a transverse groove and accompanying rib at its upper end and a transverse groove alone at its lower end with a broad band of close-set vertical flutes, the lower groove retaining traces of gilding, fitted at its brow with a staple and small locking-screw, together retaining a sturdy sliding nasal-bar (restored), the bar and staple each decorated with a filed pattern of lozenges, the lower edge of the skull formed in two opposing sections with raised ribs, its border struck with the quality-control-mark of the city of Nuremberg, and pierced with numerous holes, many later (the skull bruised and perforated at some points and bearing light to moderate pitting overall) 35.5 cm; 14 in Helmets such as this were made in imitation of the Turkish shishak. Other examples are discussed by Mann 1962, II, pp. 109-10, pl. 59, Norman 1986, p. 48, and Gamber and Beaufort 1990, pp. 164-5, pl. 77. Five examples, dating from about 1563, are illustrated in the pattern-book of the Augsburg etcher Jörg Sorg the Younger (Becher et. al., 1980, p. 91) . ‡ £3000-5000
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