![TUSCANY – ?San Gimignano. ‘Libbro di memorie appartenenti al presepio 1750’, manuscript by Sister Metilde Benvenuti, custodian of the presepio (crib) in an unidentified abbey [Tuscany, ?San Gimignano], 1750-1769. Pasted-in engraving of the Holy Family, preface decorated with devotional symbols in liquid gold and red, ‘Inventario’ of the clothing and jewels of the crib, and ‘Memorie di t[ut]to quello, che e diminuito ed accrescuito al Santo Presepio doppo, che è in mia Custodia’, a chronological account from 1733 to 1750, with additions up to 1769. In Italian, 39 pages, 174 x 125mm. Original vellum, vellum ties, title in manuscript on upper cover (the ties somewhat defective).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14298_0033_000(tuscany_san_gimignano_libbro_di_memorie_appartenenti_al_presepio_1750041116).jpg?w=1)
Details
TUSCANY – ?San Gimignano. ‘Libbro di memorie appartenenti al presepio 1750’, manuscript by Sister Metilde Benvenuti, custodian of the presepio (crib) in an unidentified abbey [Tuscany, ?San Gimignano], 1750-1769. Pasted-in engraving of the Holy Family, preface decorated with devotional symbols in liquid gold and red, ‘Inventario’ of the clothing and jewels of the crib, and ‘Memorie di t[ut]to quello, che e diminuito ed accrescuito al Santo Presepio doppo, che è in mia Custodia’, a chronological account from 1733 to 1750, with additions up to 1769. In Italian, 39 pages, 174 x 125mm. Original vellum, vellum ties, title in manuscript on upper cover (the ties somewhat defective).
A detailed devotional account of the custody of a presepio in a Tuscan convent. References to Lucca, Florence and the diocese of Volterra indicate a localisation in Tuscany, whilst the identification of two successive confessors of the convent with canons of the collegiate church in San Gimignano indicate that the foundation was within or close to that town – perhaps the Augustinian convent within San Gimignano itself.
A detailed devotional account of the custody of a presepio in a Tuscan convent. References to Lucca, Florence and the diocese of Volterra indicate a localisation in Tuscany, whilst the identification of two successive confessors of the convent with canons of the collegiate church in San Gimignano indicate that the foundation was within or close to that town – perhaps the Augustinian convent within San Gimignano itself.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Brought to you by
Robert Tyrwhitt