A composite armour partially etched in Pisan style

dating: circa 1600 provenance: North Italy, Elegant set, composed of morion, bust and complete brassards. Morion with skull in one piece, comb of medium height, with border with twisted engraving, two bands with fullers on sides, an iron plume-holder on the back, a row of rivets at the skull base, with brass rosettes, brim with hemmed edge, remains of enameled numbering inside. Breast-plate carved in Pisan style, with smooth bands alternated with other engraved with braided rinceaux and with medallions with various characters, the main one with knight in a battle, Master of the Castle emblem right under the neckline, traces of gilding. Back-plate decorated in Pisan style as well, with theme of various characters and two portrays in circular medallions that look at each other, loin-guard with remains of edge. Two-plated gorget with remains of engravings in Pisan style and roped neckline and with twisted engraving. Seven-plated pauldrons (one with four restored lower small plates), with decorative bands and medallions. Complete brassards, engraved en suite with pauldrons. Knuckle-shields without fingers, with beautifully engraved braided rinceaux and medallions on cuffs with elegant effigy of antique warrior and a lady. On a fine, wooden mannequin with embossed and painted head, provided also with old dress, in embroidered fabric (worn), decorated in style.Height as shown circa 112 cm. The breast-plate bears the well-known mark of the Master of the Castle of the Three Towers, a gunsmith whose name is not known, probably of Milanese origin, who towards the end of the 16th century marked a large production of armour. Most of his production was carried out for the Dukes of Savoy. See the detail of a breast-plate photographed on page 191 (n. 36, cat. n. 20) in the volume 'Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Armeria I' catalogue of the relative museum. See also 'L'Arte dell'Armatura in Italia', pages 473-474. height total with base circa 190 cm.