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 *duced by a follower of Speier's school, and not have come directly from his hand.

A helmet constructed somewhat on the same lines, though of some few years later date, is that example in the Wallace Collection, No. 651 (Fig. 1195). Here we note a more accentuated comb to the crown; while from the screw holes in the mezeil it is apparent that additional tilt-pieces must have been made for it. The enriched bands are etched and gilt, and the background is filled in with some black pigment. This helmet is of the highest possible quality of workmanship, resembling the products of the Wolf or Worms schools; we are unable, however, to assign it to any particular armourer. The greater portion of the suit to which this helmet belongs is in the Imperial Armoury of Vienna, and known as the armour of the Emperor Ferdinand I.

German, Augsburg, about 1570

Belonging to the suit in the Imperial Armoury, Vienna, made for the Emperor Ferdinand I. Wallace Collection (Laking Catalogue, No. 651)

Probably French, about 1550. Belonging to a suit in the Royal Armoury, Madrid. Collection: Author

Before we commence to descend the scale as regards the actual quality of workmanship displayed in the art of the armourer, we will give an illustration of a very finely constructed close head-piece that we consider may