193

Antonio Russo

Solid silver Italian ex-voto, Naples, 1824-1832

Height x width: 16 x 10 cm. Weight: 68 g.

A form of folk art, handcrafted objects that represent testimonies of devotion and religiosity, often linked to miraculous events or requests for miracles, often positioned between history and legend, much like relics. The themes depicted are usually Madonnas, Saints, or categories of vows such as healings, accidents, and natural disasters, with patrons coming from various social classes.

In this case, depicting Tobias and the Angel from the Book of Tobit, an Old Testament text: Tobias, the young son of Tobit, embarks on a journey to retrieve a sum of money left by his father. In the story, Tobias is accompanied by the angel Raphael, who appears in human form. During the journey, Raphael helps Tobias accomplish two important tasks. In this specific scene, we see the moment when Tobias is about to bathe in the Tigris River but is attacked by a large fish. Following the angel’s advice, Tobias captures the fish and removes its heart, liver, and gall bladder—organs with magical healing properties. This offers a clear reference in the ex-voto relating to a request for a prompt healing. Indeed, votive tablets reflect the ritual commitment of the petitioner, the one who makes the vow, who may coincide with the recipient of the miracle, the one who has suffered harm, and the deity who intercedes.

833/1000 silver, hallmarked with the mark used by the goldsmiths' guild of Naples for silver objects of 833/1000 fineness or 10 ounces in use from 1824 to 1832, assayer Salvatore Simi or Michele Massa, silversmith Antonio Russo.
Literature:
Ref. Elio e Corrado Catello, Argenti napoletani dal XVI al XIX secolo, 1973, p. 108-116 &149.
23/01/2025 23:22:23
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Curiosities from European and Oriental art
Silvers, Ivories, Corals, Icons, and Wunderkammer

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