Lot Essay
MEACCI'S PICTURE IS A CELEBRATION OF FLORENTINE HISTORY, FILLED WITH SYMBOLS OF THE CITY. THESE INCLUDE THE ROMAN GODDESS OF FLOWERS, FLORA, MORE FAMOUSLY DEPICTED BY SANDRO BOTTICELLI IN HIS PRIMAVERA AND A MARZOCCO, A SEATED LION WITH THE EMBLEM OF FLORENCE RESTING ON ITS PAW. TO THE LEFT OF THE PICTURE A FIGURE CLUTCHES A GOLD STATUE OF COSIMO I DE MEDICI (1519-1574) AND ON THE FAR RIGHT AN EAGLE CLUTCHES A SACK OF WOOL, THE SYMBOL OF THE CALIMALA, THE POWERFUL MERCHANTS GUILD WHO ADMINISTERED THE CHURCH OF SAN MINIATO AL MONTE DURING THE 13TH CENTURY, AND A STATUE OF WHICH RESTS ON THE TOP OF THE BASILICA TO THIS DAY.