3976

Unità di misura: mm; Diametro: 145; Lunghezza: 1203

bronzo a fusione

Thanks to its particular suitability for casting and its greater density, bronze allowed the construction of cannons with thinner walls than those of similar iron pieces. However, the greater fragility of this alloy due to overheating caused by prolonged firing, and above all its significantly higher cost compared to iron, led to an increasing prevalence of iron artillery in the naval field from the early 17th century onwards. This small cannon looks like a smaller version of the French 4-pounder. The ratio between length and calibre is 18. The solid iron spherical projectile fired by this weapon must have weighed less than a pound (probably 14 French ounces, equal to 428 g); it must therefore have been used to arm an armed launch (lifeboat), or simply for salutes and signalling.

MSA 3654

Unità di misura: cm; Altezza: 75.5; Larghezza: 21; Profondità: 32

marmo bianco a grana fine, apuano

It comes from the votive aedicule on the façade of Niccolò Paganini's house in passo di Gattamora 38, demolished in 1968.

4234

Unità di misura: UNR

pietra

Cannonballs.

3721

Unità di misura: mm; Diametro: 186; Lunghezza: 1130; Varie: calibro 99 mm

ferro battuto

Although technically obsolete, these artillery pieces continued to be carried on merchant ships as subsidiary equipment until at least the mid-16th century. It is a ‘small’ bombarda, i.e. one of the light pieces installed on Genoese ships in the 15th century, weighing between 2 and 3 Cantari (95-140 kg). Based on its calibre, it can be estimated that it fired a 3-pound stone ball (0.950 kg) with an effective range of about 100 metres. The “large” bombards weighed around 7 cantari (330 kg) and used a 25-30 pound (8-9.5 kg) stone projectile; their range was around 300 metres.

MSA 272

Unità di misura: cm; Altezza: 47; Larghezza: 77; Varie: Con coperchio piramidale a base ottagonale di legno l'opera ha un'altezza di 102 cm.

pietra calcarea

The object may come from the parish church in Bacelega (IM). Octagonal baptismal font decorated on two registers. The lower order is adorned with volutes whose upper terminations are at the corners, while the lower ones are placed in the middle of the face; on two faces the volutes are then enriched by two anthropomorphic heads. The upper section features stylised engraved motifs: wheels, spirals, a Bernardine trigram, a cross and flowers. Just above, on the rim, is the Latin inscription “MCCCCLI DIE C AUGUSTI ANT ANDREAS”. The interior of the font is divided into three compartments by a marble partition, almost certainly added at a later date. The baptismal font is also equipped with a wooden pyramidal lid with an octagonal base and opening flap, most probably made in the 19th century.

2977

Unità di misura: cm; Lunghezza: 225; Varie: lunghezza manico 2 mt

acciaio

Engraved dagger with decorations.

MSA 250

Unità di misura: cm; Altezza: 68; Larghezza: 138

pietra nera di Promontorio

From the collection of Santo Varni. Fragment of a bas-relief worked cielino with double moulded frame. In the centre, enclosed within a crown of leaves, a male head crowned with laurel, turned to the right. The subject is identifiable as Nero. On the sides are plant motifs, cornucopias with flower buds and ribbons.

3372

Unità di misura: cm; Altezza: 92; Larghezza: 125

pergamena- inchiostro

The drawing depicts a map of the Mediterranean Sea.

MSA 3632

Unità di misura: cm; Diametro: 50; Spessore: 16

Marmo greco

This clypeus comes from the church of San Colombano, a 15th-century foundation close to the city's charitable institutions. When the church was destroyed in the last century, the clipeus, which stood on the façade, came into the possession of the civic collections. The marble presents a typically Oriental iconography, interpreted, however, in a rather approximate manner: this indicates an uncertain handling of the figure and thus a lack of habit of this type of realisation, present elsewhere, such as in Pisa, with much more secure results. Marble tondo depicting Christ with a tome in his left hand and his right raised in the act of blessing.

MSA 2903

Unità di misura: cm; Altezza: 68; Larghezza: 188,5; Profondità: 12

pietra nera di Promontorio

Rectangular surmount with list frame decorated with leaves; in the centre, within a wreath of leaves surrounded by plant motifs in relief, the banner Agnus Dei. The Agnus Dei has its nimbate head turned backwards and its right forepaw bent down to stop the staff of the ensign. On either side are two chiselled shield emblems.