Burgonet
Culture
German
, perhaps Nuremberg
Date1550–1570
Mediumsteel, leather and paint
Dimensions29.6 × 25.3 × 37.5 cm (11 5/8 × 9 15/16 × 14 3/4 in.), 3 lb 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsStamped on the outside point of the fall is the Vienna Zeughaus mark, a raised Latin cross within a shield. To the left of this is a stamped/incised mark of D shape. Wired to the left cheekpiece is an elliptical brass tag stamped with the Liechtenstein inventory number 1631. Single V-shaped nick in the upper edge of the fall.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1059
DescriptionOne-piece rounded, fairly shallow skull which rises in four facets to an apical point. The facial opening is roundly arched, with an outward, deeply roped turn, and bordered with a row of lining rivets flush on the exterior. On the lower half, the back of the skull is pierced with a transverse pair of holes, the purpose of which is unknown. The basal rear edge of the skull is drawn out in a narrow flange borderd above by dome lining rivets, two of which have badly rubbed, decoratively punched iron or steel rosettes. The third rivet has a simple, crude circular washer beneath the head. Riveted to the ends of the flange is an associated nape lame. This is curved, deepening slightly as it extends around the back of the neck from its straight side edges. The basal edge is roughly turned inward, and deeply roped with file-cuts, and is in turn borered by a rivet filled, wide shallow plain sunken band.
The skull has deep, rounded cutouts at the sides, which are fitted with restored cheekpieces, hinged above, and circularly pierced with nine holes for hearing, and drawn out in gorget like flanges below, having crudely turned and file-roped edges here and at the facial opening.
Just forward and above the hinges, the skull is fitted with a pivoted, deep fall. This is pointed, with the edge turned en suite, in turn bordered by a wide shallow recessed band offset with a thin incised line. The fall extends slightly up the brow, with a low medial cusp, and curves up to the rounded pivot terminals, which have domed decoratively cut pivots. The base of the brow is decorated with a close-set pair of incised lines.
Patched repair to left rear of skull; smaller one at forward left of skull. Red paint on all internal surfaces.
ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on November 23, 1928 from American Art Association (NY), lot no. 83B (Dean armor sale). Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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