Masks, Hells, and Books: The Nuremberg Schembartlauf (1449-1539)
Gallery of Läufer
Below is a gallery of images of the Läufer. For more information on an image and to zoom in on it, click on it.
![Schembart+Adelsbrief p3.jpg Schembart+Adelsbrief p3.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/401f79ac5ccd319d23da46d0272c834c.jpg)
This Läufer is undated, though the fancy garb suggests a later Läufer. His striking costume may have been the reason he served as the frontispiece of one of the Schembart manuscripts.
![Nuremberg Schembart p20.jpg Nuremberg Schembart p20.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/e1c89d063e8492bc4cc28a628144d23c.jpg)
A Läufer in 1459. His costume is comparatively plain and sewn all over with bells, which even apart from his place in the book would suggest an early date.
![Nuremberg Schembart p30.jpg Nuremberg Schembart p30.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/4fa550fd879390597acbcd98270a9c03.jpg)
A Läufer in 1464. The coats of arms belongs to the family Kress, which was very active in the early years of the Schembartlauf: they provided captains in 1464, 1465, and 1468.
![Chronica p606.jpg Chronica p606.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/0fa030cb3ffe2accd558ce42f8ed63cf.jpg)
A Läufer in 1489. This one appears to be armed not merely with a lance but with a full-fledged halberd! The coats of arms include the Toppler and Ketzel families.
![Nuremberg Schembart p80.jpg Nuremberg Schembart p80.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/468c143e94e31b7c4070decbfa1364ec.jpg)
This 1492 parade-goer is probably not a Läufer — he lacks the distinctive unbearded mask, for one thing — but he may stand as a reminder that the parade included not just Läufer but a whole host of other figures, even if the Läufer got most of the attention.
![Nuremberg Schembart p74.jpg Nuremberg Schembart p74.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/42ed0878a7f1223528e85e44c18925c7.jpg)
A Läufer in 1498. Despite the complex tracery, this costume seems almost modest compared to some of the others. The coats of arms include the families Toppler and Ketzel.
![Schembart+Adelsbrief p47.jpg Schembart+Adelsbrief p47.jpg](https://library.missouri.edu/specialcollections/files/thumbnails/4003435ffc6d595d4f2090e5b5e2df96.jpg)
A Läufer in 1508. In the background behind him is the giant Hölle, which this artist has chosen to color-coordinate with the Läufer's garb. The coats of arms are of the Koler and Haller families.