European Decorative Arts and Sculpture Shield (Targone) for the Game of the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte) Made in Pisa, Italy, Europec. 1776 Artist/maker unknown, Italian Painted wood; iron * Gallery 247, Arms and Armor, second floor (Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Galleries) 1977-167-762 Bequest of Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch, 1977 |
LabelAn adaptation and continuation of a venerable medieval civic contest, the Game of the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte) was a mock-battle held annually in the Italian city of Pisa with almost no interruption from 1568, the date of its establishment, to 1807. The male inhabitants of the neighborhoods north and south of the Arno River, which divides the city, would meet in battle over a bridge and fight to gain control of it and to invade the opposite side. The participants wielded specially made wooden shields, which they also swung as clubs, and wore obsolete medieval and Renaissance helmets and body armor originally designed for warfare but altered for the game. They also personalized the combat gear with the bright colors and mottoes (war cries) of the individual squadrons on each side. This shield was made for the San Martino squadron.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
