Oriental-style Burgundy (zischägge) - Lot 70

Lot n° 70
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Estimation :
100000 - 120000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 303 313EUR
Oriental-style Burgundy (zischägge) - Lot 70
Oriental-style Burgundy (zischägge) Southern Germany (probably Nuremberg), c. 1560-70 H. 38 cm - L. 22 cm Oriental-style burgonet (zischägge) Southern Germany (probably Nuremberg), c. 1560-70 H. 4 ¾ in - L. 8 ¾ in 341 CH Oriental-style burgonet (zischägge) in iron, consisting of a high bulbous conical stamp with a point, with fine fluting framed at the top and bottom by smooth parts. The piece retains its two articulated cheekpieces, each with an almond-shaped bump pierced with holes, its pointed double-blade neckguard, and its pointed visor, whose spring-loaded mechanism maintains and adjusts the height of the large nasal bridge. The latter, with its triangular cross-section ending in a leaf-shaped tip adorned with silver motifs, is not original, but nevertheless belongs to the helmet's period of use. The entire outer surface is gilded and acid-etched with a decoration composed mainly of plant scrolls, more or less close together, on a stippled background. Around the tip of the stamp, on the smooth part, the vegetal decoration accompanies two finely detailed bovid heads, whose horns are linked by strips of fabric. Rivets with brass-covered heads hold the plates together and retain the internal trim (a fragment of red cloth is still attached to one of the cheekpieces). Zischägges of this type, modelled on Ottoman helmets, were produced in large workshops in southern Germany, mainly for the Central and Eastern European market. The style of the acid-etched decoration is characteristic of these production sites, particularly Augsburg and Nuremberg, and is also found at the same time on their more "Western" pieces. What makes this piece particularly exceptional, however, in addition to its excellent state of preservation, is the presence of the two engraved bovid heads at the top. Normally, zischägges feature only aniconic decorations, either geometric or vegetal, in the tradition of Islamic weapons. These heads are certainly to be compared with the famous Wieniawa emblem, a clan bison head originating from Moravia, adopted during the Middle Ages in the heraldry of many great Central European families, particularly in Poland. This helmet was most certainly made for one of their prominent members. While a few other fine examples of similar zischägges are known, notably in London's Wallace Collection (A104) or at the Metropolitan museum of Art (2014.758 and 04.3.216), the one presented here is the only one to our knowledge to bear any personal emblem, a fortiori figurative. Good condition, gilding a little worn, nasal replaced at an early period necessitating the removal of the original iron passant whose holes remain on the front of the stamp, hinge, surface covered with a conservation varnish. Translation at the end of the catalog
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