AN ETCHED GERMAN COMB-MORION, NUREMBERG, CIRCA 1580 formed in one piece with a hemispherical cro

AN ETCHED GERMAN COMB-MORION, NUREMBERG, CIRCA 1580 formed in one piece with a hemispherical crown rising to a high roped medial comb, and an integral brim turned down at each side, rising to an obtuse point at the front and rear (the front one slightly bruised), decorated around its edge with a file-roped inward turn, the front struck with the quality-control mark of the city of Nuremberg (the rear and sides each pierced with later wiring-holes), the base of the crown encircled by twelve round-headed lining-rivets with rosette-washers of iron (one washer missing), finely etched on each side of the crown with a circular cartouche enclosing, on the right, a representation of the Sacrifice of Isaac, and on the left, a mounted huntsman carrying a spear, in each case overlaying a pattern of alternating vertical bands respectively comprised of arabesque interlace and scrolling foliage inhabited by birds of prey, the latter design repeated on the comb and the brim and involving in the case of the former, oval cartouches enclosing, on the right, a soldier holding a banner, and on the left, a drummer, each in contemporary dress, the etching executed throughout on a blackened and stippled ground (light wear and patination overall) 29.1cm; 11 1/2in high The decoration of the helmet anticipates that found on a distinctive group of Nuremburg morions of the early 17th century formerly preserved in the armoury of the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg in the Wartburg, Thuringia. The scrolling foliage and birds are similar in execution to those found on a series of morions of about 1570 made for the Schurff family, hereditary huntsmen of the Tyrol, examples of which are to be found in the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, and the Musée de l'Armée, Paris. See J-P. Reverseau 1982, p. 50, fig. 2. A morion of similar form decorated with arabesque interlace is preserved in the Historisches Museum, Dresden (Schöbel 1976, fig. 40)