We seem to be assisting at some of those combats _a steccato chiuso_ wherein Sixtus IV.

delighted, or to have before our eyes a fray between Crocensi and Vallensi in the streets of Rome.[95] The same remarks apply to the terra-cotta relief by Pollajuolo in the South Kensington Museum.

This piece displays the struggles of twelve naked men, divided into six pairs of combatants.

Two of the couples hold short chains with the left hand, and seek to stab each other with the right.

In the case of another two couples the fight is over, and the victor is insulting his fallen foe.