187

Italian solid silver ex-voto depicting an ancient palace, Naples (?), 19th century

Height x width: 13 x 20 cm. Weight: 110 g.
A form of popular art, handmade artifacts that represent testimonies of devotion and religiosity often linked to miraculous events or requests for miracles, frequently positioned between history and legend, such as relics. The themes depicted are usually Madonnas, Saints, or categories of vows like healings, accidents, and natural disasters, and their patrons span various social classes.

The item in question depicts an ancient palace that survived a terrible earthquake in Calabria in the 18th century. The family gave thanks for surviving the disaster, as well as for the resilience of the building itself.
The space on the votive tablet, as in this case, is typically divided into two distinct parts: one dedicated to the deity, with a votive inscription or written out in full, or a representation, and the depiction of the miraculous event (in the case of a healing) or the miracle (in the case of a disaster). Therefore, above the image of the palace, we find the words "PER GRAZIA RICEVUTA" ("For a grace received"). Ex-votos are objects that reflect the ritual commitment of a petitioner, that is, the person who makes the vow, who may coincide with the one who received the miracle, the person who suffered harm, and the deity who intercedes.

Apparently not hallmarked.
23/01/2025 16:49:36
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€ 400,00 / 600,00
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250,00 €
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Live auction 327

Curiosities from European and Oriental art
Silvers, Ivories, Corals, Icons, and Wunderkammer

Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, tue 25 February 2025
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