Portions of an Armor for Vincenzo Luigi de Capua (died 1627)

Pompeo della Cesa · 1595-04-06T00:00:00Z

These elements form part of a light-cavalry or infantry armor made for the Neapolitan nobleman Vincenzo Luigi de Capua (died 1627), count of Altavilla and prince of Riccia. The breastplate bears his personal impresa (emblem), a sunburst above the motto Nulla Quies Alibi (No Repose But Here).Pompeo della Cesa, whose etched signature “Pompeo” is found near the top of the breastplate in the center, was the foremost Milanese armorer of the late sixteenth century. His patrons included Philip II of Spain, who also ruled as duke of Milan; Alessandro Farnese, duke of Parma; and Emanuele Filiberto, duke of Savoy. Pompeo probably headed a large workshop and also acted as a contractor in cooperation with other shops to fill particularly large commissions. The backplate for this armor and parts of a second armor made by Pompeo for Vincenzo Luigi de Capua are preserved in Warwick Castle in England. The decoration includes bands of trophies alternating with bands of allegorical and Biblical figures, one of several distinct decorative styles employed in Pompeo’s workshop.