Helmet for the Gioco del Ponte, c. 1590
Weight: 2,95 kg.
Height: 28 cm.
Provenance: Ex collection Museo Civico di Pisa.
sold
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 colours 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changed a lot and the tournament with targone and helmet has been replaced by other games.[...]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 the skull.
Condition
This helmet is in all parts original, exept 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.
