italienne bastarde

The term "italienne bastarde" refers to a style of calligraphy that emerged in the 16th century, evolving from the Italian italic bastarda script. A key characteristic of this style is the "testeggiata," which are ornamental, plumelike terminals on ascenders of letters like b, d, h, and l.1

This script developed from a hybrid of disciplined cancellaresca and black-letter mercantile scripts. Calligraphers like Gianfrancesco Cresci further refined it into a more cursive and free-flowing hand, often featuring these distinctive ascender embellishments. The "bastarde" scripts, including "italienne bastarde," were a significant development in European calligraphy during this period.12