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Lot Essay
The Casa Santa, or Holy House is traditionally thought to be the birthplace of the Virgin Mary at Nazareth. It was transported by angels in 1291 to a hill near Fiume in the former Yugoslavia from the Holy Land, and remained there until three years later it moved again to its final resting place in a laurel grove (Lauretum in Latin, which gives its name to Loreto). The town grew up around the pilgrimage site.
The extravagant casing of the Casa Santa, now located in the Duomo at Loreto, was designed, probably in 1510, by Donato d'Agnolo, called Bramante (circa 1444-1514). The sides of the Casa Santa are decorated with reliefs of scenes from the Life of the Virgin, executed by major sculptors such as Andrea Sansovino and Baccio Bandinelli, and with niches containing statues.
Models of famous buildings and shrines were often collected by gentlemen on the 'Grand Tour', alongside replicas of well-known statues or paintings of the beautiful sites of foreign cities. It is probable that the present lot is one such souvenir.
The extravagant casing of the Casa Santa, now located in the Duomo at Loreto, was designed, probably in 1510, by Donato d'Agnolo, called Bramante (circa 1444-1514). The sides of the Casa Santa are decorated with reliefs of scenes from the Life of the Virgin, executed by major sculptors such as Andrea Sansovino and Baccio Bandinelli, and with niches containing statues.
Models of famous buildings and shrines were often collected by gentlemen on the 'Grand Tour', alongside replicas of well-known statues or paintings of the beautiful sites of foreign cities. It is probable that the present lot is one such souvenir.