Lot Essay
This remarkable tabernacle was acquired by John, 3rd Marquess of Bute through his agent in Sicily, P. E. Rainford, Esq.. Appointed British Vice-Consul in Messina, Rainford corresponded frequently with Lord Bute and this tabernacle is first mentioned in a letter of 8 February 1887:
My Lord
Some time since I wrote and sent a photograph of the Lapis Lazuli Tabernacle as your Lordship had requested me to search it out. I requested the present owner to keep it until I had a reply. The person has twice written to me for a decision - I shall be most grateful if your Lordship will kindly send your reply. I will then at once communicate with the owner.
As Rainford's letter of the 1 April 1887 reveals Lord Bute obviously responded quickly and the tabernacle was duly acquired:
My Lord
I enclose a bill of loading for the Tabernacle. It was shipped on board the SS "Camilla" at Palermo 4 days since, after considerable worry and vexation, at first there was a bother with the Custom House regarding the exportation of antiquities, but I eventually got a permit, then they wanted 2 duty upon the value which I eventually got reduced to 1 - Had I been in Messina I would have got it off without any permit or payment - I have insured it for Lit 20,000 or £800 - I am informed that the Grand Duke of Flanders bought it some short time since for Lit 20,000 but finding it was too large for his Chapel, did not take it, but paid the owner for his disappointment. I hope and believe Your Lordship will be pleased, for it is a magnificent work of art and good taste. The door is entirely made of amethyst and Lapis Lazuli. There are small injuries, which I suppose are inseparable from antique objects, but on the whole it is in excellent preservation. I was trying to trace this "Glorio" (?) to its origin, and found that it was not the one which was in the Martorana (?) that one is there still, behind a screen, and is greatly inferior to ours, more than half the lapis lazuli pillars being made of wood painted - and the apparent strap work, of wood gilt - while searching I found that a side altar had been removed.. & discovered who had it, and I think it may be suitable for that which your Lordship desires. Before long, I shall send a sketch. I think it may be obtained for from between 5000 & 6000 francs but am not quite sure, the lowest price given me was Lit 7000, but I am sure it can be got for less - it is handsome, about 14ft or 15ft high with two polished black marble pillars with good capitals in yellow marbles with more of various colours in the body & pilasters. I am so anxious about this Tabernacle that I can scarcely sleep - I shall be most thankful when Your Lordship has seen it and are pleased with it.
I had the bill of loading made out to J.C. Stuart Esq. & it must be signed in the same name, had it been made out in your Lordship's name all charges would have been doubled. I also got a low freight for the two cases 10/- I had it packed by a professional packer, under my own superintendance, it took nearly two days - I do not think it can receive the smallest injury except through carelessness or gross violence. I enclose directions for unpacking - which must be strictly attended to. I will send the account when I receive all the items
The tabernacle duly arrived in Liverpool by the 12 December 1887, when Messrs. John Glynn wrote to Lord Bute to inform him 'that their steamer 'Zena' arrived from Palermo on the 1st. inst: bringing R 1/39 Packages Marble, shipped by R. E. Rainford Esq, British Vice-Consul at Messina', and it was consequently dispatched to Rothesay on 27 December 1887 at the cost of £11/11/0, arriving on 31 December.
A related tabernacle by Domenico Montini of circa 1619 is in the Palacio Real, Madrid (A. Gonzalez-Palacios, l Tempio del Gusto Roma e il Regno delle due Sicile, Milan, 1984, II p.163, fig. 372
My Lord
Some time since I wrote and sent a photograph of the Lapis Lazuli Tabernacle as your Lordship had requested me to search it out. I requested the present owner to keep it until I had a reply. The person has twice written to me for a decision - I shall be most grateful if your Lordship will kindly send your reply. I will then at once communicate with the owner.
As Rainford's letter of the 1 April 1887 reveals Lord Bute obviously responded quickly and the tabernacle was duly acquired:
My Lord
I enclose a bill of loading for the Tabernacle. It was shipped on board the SS "Camilla" at Palermo 4 days since, after considerable worry and vexation, at first there was a bother with the Custom House regarding the exportation of antiquities, but I eventually got a permit, then they wanted 2 duty upon the value which I eventually got reduced to 1 - Had I been in Messina I would have got it off without any permit or payment - I have insured it for Lit 20,000 or £800 - I am informed that the Grand Duke of Flanders bought it some short time since for Lit 20,000 but finding it was too large for his Chapel, did not take it, but paid the owner for his disappointment. I hope and believe Your Lordship will be pleased, for it is a magnificent work of art and good taste. The door is entirely made of amethyst and Lapis Lazuli. There are small injuries, which I suppose are inseparable from antique objects, but on the whole it is in excellent preservation. I was trying to trace this "Glorio" (?) to its origin, and found that it was not the one which was in the Martorana (?) that one is there still, behind a screen, and is greatly inferior to ours, more than half the lapis lazuli pillars being made of wood painted - and the apparent strap work, of wood gilt - while searching I found that a side altar had been removed.. & discovered who had it, and I think it may be suitable for that which your Lordship desires. Before long, I shall send a sketch. I think it may be obtained for from between 5000 & 6000 francs but am not quite sure, the lowest price given me was Lit 7000, but I am sure it can be got for less - it is handsome, about 14ft or 15ft high with two polished black marble pillars with good capitals in yellow marbles with more of various colours in the body & pilasters. I am so anxious about this Tabernacle that I can scarcely sleep - I shall be most thankful when Your Lordship has seen it and are pleased with it.
I had the bill of loading made out to J.C. Stuart Esq. & it must be signed in the same name, had it been made out in your Lordship's name all charges would have been doubled. I also got a low freight for the two cases 10/- I had it packed by a professional packer, under my own superintendance, it took nearly two days - I do not think it can receive the smallest injury except through carelessness or gross violence. I enclose directions for unpacking - which must be strictly attended to. I will send the account when I receive all the items
The tabernacle duly arrived in Liverpool by the 12 December 1887, when Messrs. John Glynn wrote to Lord Bute to inform him 'that their steamer 'Zena' arrived from Palermo on the 1st. inst: bringing R 1/39 Packages Marble, shipped by R. E. Rainford Esq, British Vice-Consul at Messina', and it was consequently dispatched to Rothesay on 27 December 1887 at the cost of £11/11/0, arriving on 31 December.
A related tabernacle by Domenico Montini of circa 1619 is in the Palacio Real, Madrid (A. Gonzalez-Palacios, l Tempio del Gusto Roma e il Regno delle due Sicile, Milan, 1984, II p.163, fig. 372