North Italian; Milan
Infantry Garniture of a Target (Shield) and Pointed Morion
INV-1063
North Italian; Milan1570/80
Infantry Garniture of a Target (Shield) and Pointed Morion
North Italian; Milan →suit-elementarmor
Date
1570/80
Medium
Steel, brass, gilding, silk velvet, horse hair, silk, and silver-gilt fringe
Dimensions
Rondache: Diam.: 55.9 cm (22 in.); ;
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
George F. Harding Collection
Matched round shields with open-faced helmets formed essential equipment for noble field commanders; in addition to providing protection, these served as a sign of rank. This heavy shield (target) and helmet (morion) were intended to defend against gunfire and blows from swords and pikes. Remarkably, they retain their original silk linings and fringe, decorative features that also muffled clanging blows. Training in the use of the target was fundamental to those learning the art of self-defense in the period.
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