Rare Tournament Helmet for the Gioco Del Ponte in Pisa, circa 1590

View Similar Items

Antique Map of the Netherlands in 1590 by Mees, 1854

Antique Map of the Island of Zealand 'Denmark' by Thevet, circa 1590

Antique Map of the Picardy Region of France by Ortelius, 'circa 1590'

Antique Map of the Artois Region of France by Ortelius, 'circa 1590'

Passione di Gioco Walnut Mahjong

A Grand Tour wooden maquette, depicting the Tower of Pisa, Italy circa 1880

Pisa Tower Box

U S Navy Mark V Diving Helmet Military Prototype The Helmet is a replica model

Mahjong Game Board in Black Polished Ebony Passione Di Gioco

Antique Map of the Region of Boulogne and Peronne, France 'C.1590'

Mexico City by Braun & Hogenberg c. 1590

Rare Gramophone Made for the Gramophone Exhibition in Seville in 1925

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 4

Rare Tournament Helmet for the Gioco Del Ponte in Pisa, circa 1590

About the Item

Background: The Gioco del Ponte was mentioned initially back in 1490. Its forerunner however, the Mazzascudo, had taken place as early as 1264. This is a type of tournament that was fought with club and shield on the Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa. Later these weapons were replaced by the targone, a longish shield that could be used both as a parrying device and for thrusting or blowing attacks. From the original place the tournament was relocated to the bridge over the river Arno and became the Gioco del Ponte. In the context of this tournament the people of Pisa settled local rivalries between the northern township (Tramontana) and the southern (Mezzogiorno). Both parties in turn subdivided into smaller districts. The members of these units wore elaborate costumes with the heraldic colors of their quarter. Besides the targone the combatants were equipped with a helmet that had a typical visor showing a dense arrangement of vertical iron bars. Its design provided a good visual field, optimal ventilation and an adequate protection of the head against the opponents’ attacks. The Gioco del Ponte had taken place until the year 1807. Back in 1935 it was reintroduced, since 1982 on a regular basis. However the character of the event had changed a lot and the tournament with targone and helmet has been replaced by other games. Description: Helmets from different times of the long history of the Gioco del Ponte have outlived the centuries. Normally they were made by reusing skulls for the field usage and attaching an individually forged barred visor. This is also the case with the present example. The skull is composed of two parts that are joint at the comb of rectangular section. Both halfs show two enforcing stripes that are riveted to the skull and follow a circular shape. On the back side there is a plume holder and an engraving with the letters G P. Below you can find a row of rivets for the attachment of a lining. A gorget plate is attached, a corresponding one also on the opposite side at the lower bevor. The Edges of bevor, gorget plates and the components of the visor are decorated with two parallel engraved lines. Eleven bars and two plates are riveted to each other in order to shape the impressive visor. There are two original pivoted hooks on the upper edge of the bevor that do lock the visor. On the right side you can find another hook that attaches the bevor to the skull. Condition: This helmet is in all parts original, except the pivoting hook on the right side. Since this old restoration has already developed a patina it is hardly distinguishable against the surface of the helmet. On the lower edge of the gorget plate you can find two wholes each. These were drilled in the 19th or early 20th century and served for the attachment of two further gorget plates as a “restoration”. From our point of view these plates disturbed the overall appearance of this wonderful helmet, so we decided to remove them by opening the modern rivets that attached them to the original gorget plates. Signs of wear and usage are consistent with the age of the present helmet. So is the patina of its surface that contributes to the impressive overall appearance. Comparable examples: For a nearly identical piece consider: - Aliverti, M. I. et al (1980): Il Gioco del Ponte di Pisa, No. 2.24, p. 62. Provenance: - Ex collection Museo Civico di Pisa.

Dimensions:
Height: 11.03 in (28 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 10.24 in (26 cm)
Style:
Renaissance (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Wrought Iron
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
16th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1590
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU98142150262

More From This Seller

View All

Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

Rare French early 19th century Napoleonic medal cabinet on four gilt bronze pawfeet, a hinged door to the top and front opening to reveal four drawers containing 184 very fine bronzed plaster medals...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet

$16,088

Rare 17th Century Baroque Cabinet, South Germany Probably Augsburg, Wunderkammer

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A small architectural table cabinet, veneered in walnut and mulberry, the centre doors enclosing an arrangement of nine various sized drawers with bone knobs, behind a central door a...

Category

Antique Late 17th Century German Baroque Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Rare 17th Century Baroque Cabinet, South Germany Probably Augsburg, Wunderkammer

$17,130

Rare Victorian Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival Library Architects Plan Chest

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A neo-gothic mid-19th century library plan chest having an arrangement of eleven short and three long drawers to one side, the other side with three short drawers above gothic style linen fold panelling, centred with the carved monogram ‘HP’, further matching panelling to the sides. A stunning plan chest of good propartions and with a nice patina. Provenance: Sherborne School, an independent school in north-west Dorset, England, established in 1550. Among the ‘Old Shirburnians’ are for example the writer John Cowper Powys, the actors Jeremy Irons und Charlie Cox, Chris Martin, leadsinger of the band Coldplay as well as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Commodes and Chests of D...

Materials

Oak

Rare Victorian Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival Library Architects Plan Chest

$28,363

Pair of Large 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Black Marble Nero Antico Obelisks

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A very attractive pair of Italian Grand Tour black marble obelisks. Detailed hieroglyphics to the front side, on a green marble plinth. Minor corner chips to both obelisks, otherwise...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Architectural Models

Materials

Marble

Pair of Large 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Black Marble Nero Antico Obelisks

$11,343 / set

Rare Pair of French Directoire Fauteuils en Curule, Paris, circa 1800, G. Jacob

By Georges Jacob

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

These finely sculpted fauteuils supported by curule-form bases, reflect the 'antique' influence of the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum during the 18th century. This form based on the antique Roman sella...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Pair of French Directoire Fauteuils en Curule, Paris, circa 1800, G. Jacob

$26,042 / set

Rare French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Library Jacob Desmalter

By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

Large and very unusual French Empire bookcase in beautifully figured mahogany veneer. Four glazed doors (original glass), interior with original shelves (two on each level allow an adjustment for larger...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Rare French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Library Jacob Desmalter

$63,660

Antique 19th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Netherlands in 1590 by Mees, 1854

$118 Sale Price

20% Off

Antique Map of the Island of Zealand 'Denmark' by Thevet, circa 1590

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique map titled 'Partie de Danemarc'. Map of the island of Zealand, Denmark, including the city of Copenhagen. This map originates from 'Cosmographie Universelle' by André Thevet.

Category

Antique 16th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Island of Zealand 'Denmark' by Thevet, circa 1590

$254 Sale Price

20% Off

Antique Map of the Picardy Region of France by Ortelius, 'circa 1590'

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique map titled 'Picardiae Belgicae regionis descriptio'. Original antique map of the Picardy region, France. Published by A. Ortelius, circa 1590.

Category

Antique 16th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Picardy Region of France by Ortelius, 'circa 1590'

$555 Sale Price

20% Off

Antique Map of the Artois Region of France by Ortelius, 'circa 1590'

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique map titled 'Artesia'. Original antique map of the Artois region, France. Published by A. Ortelius, circa 1590.

Category

Antique 16th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Artois Region of France by Ortelius, 'circa 1590'

$555 Sale Price

20% Off

Passione di Gioco Walnut Mahjong

By Agresti

Located in New York, NY

Mahjong in matt Canaletto walnut with brass parts in ruthenium finish.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Games

Materials

Walnut

Passione di Gioco Walnut Mahjong

$2,300 / item

A Grand Tour wooden maquette, depicting the Tower of Pisa, Italy circa 1880

Located in Milan, IT

Miniature Wunderkammer Grand Tour architectural model, entirely handmade, in balsa wood and brass, depicting the Tower of Pisa. The bells made of brass are inserted in the final part...

Category