Exhibition: “Blades in the Art of War”

From March to June 2024, the Temporary Exhibition entitled WEAPONS IN THE ART OF WAR will be held at the MuGot in Ponzalla. It is part of the initiatives linked to REFLESSI D'ARTE: «THE DOCTORS. PEOPLE OF MUGELLO. FAMILY PORTRAITS FROM THE UFFIZI GALLERIES", with a program promoted by the Mountain Union of the Municipalities of Mugello and by the Municipality of Scarperia and San Piero within the many exhibition initiatives of the CR Firenze Foundation and the Uffizi Galleries. In the context of this important exhibition, a series of thematic exhibitions involve the Piccoli Grandi Musei and Uffizi Diffusi, with the specific intent, in this case, of enhancing the Mugello Montagna Fiorentina Museum System.

BLADES IN THE ART OF WAR follows the evolution of blades and their use in armed conflicts. The exhibition at the MuGot includes sabres, bayonets, daggers and blades that characterized clashes in various historical eras. Numerous finds from various countries, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these sidearms, however, were used exclusively as a symbol of rank and rank.

For the reigning princes, the equipment of bladed weapons, swords, daggers and stilettos represented one of the recognizable attributes of rank and power. And the Medici were, of course, no exception, as also highlighted in the portrait of Grand Duke Francesco I present at the Scarperia exhibition. The exhibition consists of 8 showcases with over 120 pieces organized according to chronological and use criteria. Elements of 16th century armor and halberds lent from Florentine collections are followed by officer's sabers in use in the 19th and 20th centuries in various armies. The exhibition continues by showing various types of Russian, French, Japanese, Austro-Hungarian and German bayonets also in their adaptation for trench warfare 15-18. In another display case, the bladed weapons used by various armies derived from work tools, such as some machetes and a rare Nepalese kukri, are displayed. We continue with an assortment of German daggers, Hitler Youth knives, and Italian daggers supplied to the PNF militia mod. 1937. Combat knives, stilettos and daggers close a collection full of curiosities.