Italy, Genoa, 17th Century, Solid Silver Church Lantern

Impressive church lantern made ofsolid silver. Genoa, 17th century. Genoa hallmark.

A very beautiful piece of Italian religious silverwork from theLouis XV period.

This imposing lantern is punctuated by gadroons and fluting andrichly decorated with garlands and pendants of ribbon-wrapped floral bouquetsas well as finely chiseled foliage.

The three large oak leaves, chiseled in high relief,serve as supports for the suspension chains and provide balanceto the composition. The openwork, decorative fasteners completea piece of great finesse in its execution.

Due to the quality of its engraving, the richness of its decoration, andthe harmony of its proportions, this work of17th-century Genoese goldsmithing is extremely rare and remarkably wellpreserved.

Please note a few missing pieces and minor imperfections (see photo).

Unidentified master silversmith’s hallmark.

Gross weight: 1,750 gr.

Total height: 108.5 cm / 42.72 in.

Diameter: 22 cm. / 8.66 in.

Chain length: 64 cm. / 25.2in.

The main border of the lantern bears an inscription engravedin Roman capital letters (possibly “Frédérico Spinola and Heirs”) as well as Roman numerals, the deciphered portion of which reads“FRIDERICI SPINOLÆ.”

Frédérico Spinola came from a prominent Genoese family;he was a Genoese sailor in the service of Philip II,

Born in 1571, he studied at the University of Salamanca with a viewpursue an ecclesiastical career but ultimately enlisted in the armyof Flanders commanded by Alexander Farnese.

He died on May 26, 1603, during the Battle of the Eclusa,(Netherlands). A poem by Francisco de Quevedo is dedicated to him, and theItalian painter Federico Barocci (1535–1612) painted aportrait of him (shown in the ad),

Source: Wikipedia