Gilt bronze and silver frame, Rome around 1730

Rare gilt bronze frame with radiant decoration imitating the sun.
It is embellished with eight small plates in the round in solid silver representing cherubs in clouds.

Nice quality of sculpture.

Hallmarks of the Papal States (keys of St Peter intersected under the pope's tiara)

Good condition, a restored radius (welding) and small variation of patina on the silver plates due to recent cleaning.

Italy, Rome around 1730.

Dimensions:

Total: Height: 42 cm; Width: 33cm
Central frame: Height: 17 cm, Width: 14 cm

Our opinion :

Our frame is an object probably marketed in the Vatican for rich European customers who came to take the grand tour.
The tomb of St Pierre was indeed an essential stage of this journey reserved for the nobility.
If some bring back paintings or bronzes from the antique, the wealthiest can afford the purchase of goldsmith's pieces.
The pontifical workshops will recruit the best Roman goldsmiths and specialize in the design of these devotional objects, holy water fonts, censer, crucifix...
Our frame probably contained a central silver plate representing a crucifixion or a Madonna and Child, before being turned into a mirror or picture frame.
Several nearby bas-reliefs are known with this same type of frame where the angels look at the central scene.