17/18th cent., wood with spiky surface and handgrip inside, monogram "CMS"; two spikes missing, damage and wormholes. Size ca. 21,5 x 22 cm.

The Gioco del Pallone (deutsch: Ballonspiel) was an Italian team volley game. The aim of the game is to hit the ball into the opponents’ half of the pitch. The basic equipment consists of a ball (palla) and an arm protector which enables a fairly heavy ball to be used.
The ball was an inflated leather ball which lost size and weight as the game progressed. In the 16th century the circumference was about 32cm and the weight about 800g, while from the 18th century it had a circumference of about 20cm and a weight of 500g. By the start of the 20th century the weight had further reduced by 300g and the size to only 9cm. The inflatable inside consisted of a pig’s or bull’s bladder but it had to be inflated every few strokes. Altogether 3 balls were available for each game so as not to interrupt play.
In the arly days of the Gioco del Pallone the players used cloth or leather tied around the forearm as protection against the heavy ball. From the mid-16th century the braccial, a wooden spiked arm protector, was used over the players’ bandaged arms. A piece of wood held in the hand prevented the bracciale falling off. Using the spiked arm protector permitted a more accurate return of the ball. (from Wikipedia)