The term Zischägge refers to a distinctive type of seventeenth-century helmet consisting of a hemispherical bowl, a brim with sliding nosepiece (nasal), cheekpieces, and a long laminated tail over the back of the neck. The German word is a corruption of the Turkish chichak, which refers to a similar helmet used throughout much of the Ottoman world.

Unlike most Zischägge, which were relatively simple, this example has a finely fluted and ribbed bowl with a baluster finial at the top, and surfaces that are blued and gilt. It also has its original leather lining in the bowl, brim, tail, and cheekpieces.

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