MOCHI, Orazio
(b. 1571, Firenze, d. 1625, Firenze)

Saccomazzone Players

c. 1621
Bronze, 36 x 46 x 30 cm
Art Institute, Chicago

Mochi translated a typical genre scene from painting into the medium of sculpture.

Saccomazzone literally means a bundle of sacks, and is the name of a noisy interlude in country dances. Two players had to keep one hand on a stone placed between them. Both were blindfolded and had to try to hit the other with a knotted cloth or a sack in his hand, and both ducked to avoid the blows, which required a great deal of agility.