Thread by @mamboitaliano__

Italian armors in 1580 ✨

A Thread 🧵

This set of antique-style armor, made for both man and horse, is one of the most richly decorated pieces of armor from the 16th century

It belonged to Alessandro Farnese, son of Ottavio Farnese and Margherita of Parma, the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Charles V

The armor was created between 1576 and 1580 and is the work of a Milanese master, possibly Lucio Piccinino

The designs were made by Andrea Casalini, a goldsmith active at the court of Parma

Ten of his detailed preparatory drawings for this armor have survived, located in Paris, New York, Hamburg, and Vienna

Sources suggest that the commission for the armor did not come from Alessandro himself, but from his father, Ottavio

The set is almost completely preserved. It includes a knight’s armor with a tournament reinforcement on the left shoulder and horse armor consisting of a front plate and saddle

The set also includes an oval shield, a gorget, and a mace, although these differ in style

Alessandro Farnese assumed the government of the Netherlands after the death of Don John of Austria in October 1578

Already at that time, in 1577/78, Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol had corresponded regarding the shipment of the armors belonging to his two relatives

In January 1580, it was reported that the Archduke had received both armors

The set was displayed in the second armory of Ambras Castle, where in 1596 it was described as ‘a majestic armor on the horse of the Duke of Parma… on the head a harp, silver and gilded” ✨

Owner: Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza (1545–1592) ✨