A Beautiful Bracelet For "gioco Del Pallone Col Bracciale", Dated Florence 1911

A beautiful walnut and cornelian bracelet for the game of "pallone col bracciale", crafted by the famous player and bracelet maker Narciso Mazzoni, who was active in Florence between the late 19th century and the early 20th century. The bracelet is dated 1911 on a few points (“Narciso Mazzoni Costa Scarpuccia Firenze”). Slight visible flaws on a few points; overall condition is more than good.
The item is in good condition and has an interesting history.
Pallone col bracciale* was very popular in Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as in the 20th century up until the 1930s. It was, in fact, the most popular sport of all; its first rules date back to 1555. Players of the game are known as *pallonisti*. In the 19th century, Italian players were the highest-paid and most admired athletes. The sport and its champions were described by Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Giacomo Leopardi. The ball is struck back using a type of device worn on the forearm called a *bracciale* (bracelet/cuff). If used incorrectly, the *bracciale* can cause arm fractures, as it weighs between one and two kilograms. Originally, the ball was air-filled and weighed 934 grams, but solid rubber balls weighing 350 grams are used today (source: Wikipedia).