Coats of arms of a cardinal archbishop - Wood, Leather, Velvet, Silk - 1750-1800 - Jewelry Marmot

Very large gift box, jewelry roll of a Cardinal-Archbishop, primate of the Church or patriarch, part of the Sacred College, as indicated by his coat of arms:

Under the cardinal hat, the cordelière has 15 tassels, and the cross has a double traverse.

The wooden box is covered with Havana-colored goatskin, stamped on the lid, in gold, silver, black and green from the prelate’s grand escutcheon, the box borders gilded with a wheel-drawn gold.

The interior, turquoise blue-green, is lined with bottle-green silk velvet, a tray for organizing the jewelry: sapphire ring, pectoral cross, and others. A second tray (missing) would have housed the crosier and the mitre.

France or Italy, circa 1800–1830.

Condition: well used, the prelate must have traveled a lot, worn around the edges and corners; fortunately the lid is in fairly good condition, and the interior remains quite beautiful.

Remarkable travel case with ecclesiastical character, rectangular in shape, made with a wooden core fully veneered in brown leather, richly decorated with small irons (tools), gilding, and polychrome highlights.

The lid features in its center important ecclesiastical coats of arms. The shield, bearing a stylized crenellated tower at several levels, is surmounted by the cardinal’s galero, whose cords end in thirty tassels, fifteen on each side, heraldic arrangement corresponding to the dignity of cardinal.

Behind the shield appears an archbishop’s cross with a double traverse. Taken together, these arms allow attribution to a cardinal-archbishop, whose identity remains to be determined. The coats of arms are surrounded by leafed branches delicately enhanced in green and occupy a rich decoration of gilded friezes and ornaments covering the leather.

The patina and partial wear of the gilding give the whole a particularly warm tone today.

The interior retains its beautiful old arrangement in green velvet, organized into twelve compartments, presumably intended to hold the various elements of a personal kit.

The back of the lid is also fully lined with green velvet. The box retains its old lock with key, as well as two mobile brass side handles mounted on two plates.

The presence of these cardinal arms gives this box a particular historical interest and testifies to an order intended for a high dignitary of the Church.

Beautiful authentic condition for its age. Wear, rubbing, small losses and leather damage, especially at the edges and near the lock; gilding wear and interior trim wear. Overall preserving a very nice old patina and its original character.

Provenance of the prelate to be identified from the crenellated-tower arms.

The photos are an integral part of the object descriptions and complement the presentation. Please examine them carefully before any commitment.

The item will be carefully packaged and shipped with a tracking number, to guarantee fast and secure delivery.

Happy bidding