The essay analyses the social dimension of objects in women’s wills in fifteenth-century Perugia, taking as a case study register 244 of the Notai di Perugia series, drawn up by the notary Angelo di Tommaso between 1454 and 1497. The study focuses on the women’s wills and codicils contained in the register, comparing them with a selection of male wills in order to highlight similarities and differences in the transmission of movable goods. Particular attention is paid to textiles, clothing, domestic objects and liturgical items, considered not only for their material value but also as indicators of social status, family affiliation, religious devotion and proximity networks. The analysis shows how women’s bequests offer an articulated picture of the relationships between women, family, community and religious institutions in Perugia in the second half of the fifteenth century. The comparison with male wills also makes it possible to identify a different function of objects, which in men’s wills are more often connected to the profession, public role and social identity of the testator.
Il saggio analizza la dimensione sociale degli oggetti nei testamenti femminili della Perugia del Quattrocento, assumendo come caso di studio il registro 244 della serie Notai di Perugia, rogato dal notaio Angelo di Tommaso tra il 1454 e il 1497. L’indagine si concentra sui testamenti e codicilli femminili contenuti nel registro, messi a confronto con alcuni atti maschili, al fine di evidenziare analogie e differenze nella trasmissione dei beni mobili. Particolare attenzione è riservata a tessuti, abiti, oggetti domestici e beni liturgici, considerati non solo per il loro valore materiale, ma anche come indicatori di status sociale, appartenenza familiare, devozione religiosa e reti di prossimità. L’analisi mostra come i lasciti femminili restituiscano un quadro articolato dei rapporti tra donne, famiglia, comunità e istituzioni religiose nella Perugia del secondo Quattrocento. Il confronto con i testamenti maschili consente inoltre di individuare una diversa funzione degli oggetti, più spesso legati, negli atti degli uomini, alla professione, al ruolo pubblico e all’identità sociale del testatore.
Non solo stoffe: gli oggetti nei testamenti femminili della Perugia del Quattrocento
Zucchini, Stefania
2026
Abstract
The essay analyses the social dimension of objects in women’s wills in fifteenth-century Perugia, taking as a case study register 244 of the Notai di Perugia series, drawn up by the notary Angelo di Tommaso between 1454 and 1497. The study focuses on the women’s wills and codicils contained in the register, comparing them with a selection of male wills in order to highlight similarities and differences in the transmission of movable goods. Particular attention is paid to textiles, clothing, domestic objects and liturgical items, considered not only for their material value but also as indicators of social status, family affiliation, religious devotion and proximity networks. The analysis shows how women’s bequests offer an articulated picture of the relationships between women, family, community and religious institutions in Perugia in the second half of the fifteenth century. The comparison with male wills also makes it possible to identify a different function of objects, which in men’s wills are more often connected to the profession, public role and social identity of the testator.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
