Skip to main content

Main Building

Shield (Targone) for the Game of the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte)

c. 1776
Artist/maker unknown, Italian
An 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.

Object Details

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.


Main Building