Bit Boss

Unknown

late 16th–17th century · Copper alloy · Arms and Armor

The center of this bit boss displays a human bust, circled by a rim adorned with six projections in the shape of human busts wearing 16th-century ruff collar and a Roman-style mantle. This repeated figure is likely to be King Philip II of Spain, represented as such in several portraits made by Leone and Pompeo Leoni. Because of his short beard, this portrait seems to have been more particularly inspired by the medal made in 1549 by Leone Leoni when Philip, still a prince, visited his German and Flemish territories for the first time, as well as from his portrait painted by Antonis Mor in 1557.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th–17th century

Medium

Copper alloy

Culture

North Italian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942