Triumphal finery: Mannerism in the art of Italian armour.(armor) From: Apollo | Date: February 1, 2004| Author: Eaves, Ian | COPYRIGHT 2004 Apollo Magazine Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Of all the possessions of the sixteenth century nobleman, few spoke more eloquently of his wealth, taste and social standing than those that he wore. As the nominal if not actual head of his army, the message conveyed by his military attire was clearly as important to him as that conveyed by the finery that he wore at court. In an age conscious of the political value of costly pageantry, it was perhaps inevitable that competition should arise between rival rulers to appear in the ri...