LONFO🇮🇹

Qualche giorno fa è morto l’attore romano Alvaro Vitali, ed ha fatto un po’ scalpore il fatto che al suo funerale si sia presentato tra i colleghi solo Carlo Verdone, che credo non abbia nemmeno mai fatto un film con lui. Mi sono chiesto allora del perché la cosa facesse notizia, e ho cercato di darmi una risposta. Continue reading L’infelicità del comico: ciao Alvaro.

Oddities & Curiosities

Oddities & Curiosities

Oddities & Curiosities

Seven Pendants for Horse Trappings, 15th century. Copper alloy, enamel, gold. Spanish.

Heraldry, or coat-of-arms, were vitally important in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Heraldic emblems were used to identify noble families, cities, regions, and even countries. In addition to being displayed on shields and flags, heraldry was incorporated into architectural decoration on the interior and the exterior of buildings, on furniture, works of art, clothing, and horse equipment. Harness pendants, like this example, would have been attached to a headstall, bridle, or other straps making up the tack of a horse ridden by a nobleman or noblewoman, or a member of their household. Many harness pendants also have decoration that is simply ornamental, or have symbols that are not specifically heraldic in nature.