Bonhams 1793 : An Italian visored close helmet for the Pisan Gioco del Ponte

The one-piece skull with roped crest, the apex riveted with diamond-shaped reinforcing plate. Sides of skull riveted with triangular plates as repairs/reinforcements, the left side with second plate extending to the neck guard. Bevor fitted with barred visor secured with two hooks, the cusped lower edge with single lame neck guard formed of two pieces. Rear of skull pierced for a plume holder, now missing, and incised P G, all above a single lame neck guard. Interior of skull inscribed in white paint P and M49 (for Mezzogiorno).
Condition: Dark, uncleaned patina showing light marks, some pitting, tears and some losses.
See Illustration

Sold for US$ 2,340 inc. premium

Footnotes

Note: The Pisan Gioco del Ponte, first recorded in 1568, was fought annually on the Ponte di Mezzo over the river Arno. The contest pitted two teams, the Tramontana (north of the river) and the Mezzogiorno (south of the river), which were further divided into squadrons. The last tradiional gioco was held in 1807. See A Rare Armor for the Gioco del Ponte, Karcheski and La Rocca, Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol, 42, 2007, pages 107-119.

Category: Arms and Armour

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