CELLINI, Benvenuto
(b. 1500, Firenze, d. 1571, Firenze)

Morion for Francesco I de' Medici

c. 1570
Chased and silver-plated iron, height 37 cm
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden

Recently a chased morion and shield, now kept in Dresden, have been attributed to Cellini and his assistants. Both the tall crested helmet and the oval shield are ceremonial objects embellished with decorative scenes. Apart from being influenced by French examples, these pieces reveal stylistic features typical of Cellini.

The tondo on the helmet depicts the triumph of a figure bearing ceremonial arms. The figure can be identified with Cosimo I.




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