Mace
ca. 1696-1710 (made)
Place of origin |
Silver and gilded silver, Rome, 1691-6, maker's mark of Giovanni Giardini and control marks of the silversmith Andrea Pini (warden of the Rome assay office 1696-1710)
Object details
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Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | Silver and gilded silver, Rome, 1691-6, maker's mark of Giovanni Giardini and control marks of the silversmith Andrea Pini (warden of the Rome assay office 1696-1710) |
Dimensions | |
Marks and inscriptions | (The shield of arms of Cardinal Oppizzoni has been subsequently applied over a monogram which, as seen from the back, appears to consist of the initials CCA, perhaps referring to Cardinal Caprara, papal legate to France at the time of Napoleon's coronation. The case is six-sided, covered with red leather decorated with wreaths and borders in gilt tooling. The hinged lid is stamped with the arms of Cardinal Oppizzoni three times repeated, ensigned with a cardinal's hat between cross-staff and crozier. The lining is of red leather. Iron key to case.) |
Gallery label | Ceremonial mace for a cardinal
1691–96
This mace was made for a cardinal on his appointment and symbolises his authority. It weighs nearly ten kilograms and was carried during ceremonial processions by a special bearer. It would originally have borne the arms of the cardinal who owned it and of the pope who appointed him. Such maces were often re-used, with the arms changed to reflect their new ownership.
Italy (Rome)
By Giovanni Giardini
Silver and gilded silver
Given by Col. Fearon Tipping(09.12.2015) |
Object history | The mace was presented to the Museum on 31 October, 1906, by Colonel W. Fearon Tipping, J.P., of Brasted Place, Brasted, Kent. The mace had been brought from France and purchased by Colonel Tipping, who understood it to have been used at the coronation of Napoleon. Written accounts of his coronation ceremonies in Paris and in Milan, however, do not record that the cardinals present carried maces (or had attendants carrying them). |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 646-1906 |
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Record created | October 26, 2005 |
Record URL |
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